The Board of Commissioners has proclaimed the Month of April as Volunteer Month in Columbia County and encourages all county residents to join in the observation. "During Volunteer Month, we recognize the importance of our local volunteers and celebrate the significant contributions of our neighbors who graciously give back to the community," said Columbia County Commissioner Henry Heimuller. "We hope that in sharing our appreciation for the extraordinary contributions made by these generous residents, we can inspire and motivate others in our county to volunteer their time and talents to worthy causes."

Here are just a few of the many organizations whose volunteers help keep Columbia County great:

Columbia County Fair Board

The Fair Board, its subcommittees, 4-H clubs, and literally dozens of other volunteer groups and organizations come together each year to make the annual Columbia County Fair a success and help to maintain the fairgrounds on an ongoing basis.

The Fair Board's seven-member committee seeks sponsors, organizes vendors, plans exhibits and displays, and schedules entertainers for the annual county fair. The Columbia County Fair, a five-day event held each July, draws up to 25,000 people. If you are interested in serving on any of county's advisory committees, please complete an online application at https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/advisory-committee-membership-application.

NOTS Boating Club & Columbia River Yachting Association (CRYA)

Totaling over 2,000 members in 19 member clubs, NOTS and CRYA work to develop new recreational boating facilities while promoting safe boating and water safety activities in Columbia County.

Members from NOTS and CRYA direct an annual clearing and cleanup of the JJ Collins Park on Coon Island. Additionally, they have donated several thousand dollars for projects in Columbia County, including the Gilbert River docks restoration and rebuilding of tables at JJ Collins Park. For more information on the NOTS Boating Club, visit their website at http://www.notsboatingclub.com.

Oregon Equestrian Trails (OET) Columbia County Chapter

OET is a non-profit organization that celebrated its 50th Anniversary last year. Members are dedicated to building, promoting, preserving, and maintaining horse camps and trails in Columbia County and Oregon, for equestrians and hikers.

Since 2016, OET has coordinated the efforts of approximately 70 people to help with trail maintenance at Camp Wilkerson, Dibblee Point Park, and the Crown Z Trail; and the construction of the horse camp at Camp Wilkerson. OET paid for and built 5 of the six corral units and built a camp host site for the horse campground. In addition, OET purchased and built the picnic shelter and an ADA ramp for riders with special accessibility needs. OET meets at 7:00 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Moose Family Center in Warren. For more information on OET, call Bob Rice at 503-366-3736.

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

RSVP serves the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older in volunteering services to meet critical community needs and providing a high-quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers.

RSVP volunteers perform essential front desk duties at the courthouse by answering questions, providing directions, and generally helping ease the stress that community members sometimes feel when visiting the courthouse to conduct business. Contact Monica Cade at 888-538-5457 for information on volunteering opportunities.

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners would like to thank all the volunteers who share their time and efforts in giving back to our community.

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