The INDEPENDENT, September 7, 2006
Power of the People
By W. Marc Farmer,
General Manager,
West Oregon Electric Cooperative
“Care
to
Share”
Energy
Assis-
tance
Pro-
gram
The employees at West Ore-
gon Electric Cooperative have
been raising funds for our
“Care to Share” Energy Assis-
tance Program. This program
provides money to help those
who need assistance with their
electric bills, especially during
the winter months when heat-
ing is essential. We will have
the experienced staff at St. Vin-
cent de Paul administer the
funds to benefit only our West
Oregon Electric members. This
money will be kept separate
from other funds at St. Vincent
de Paul and will be for WOEC
use only. We would like to let
you know some of the ways we
are raising funds and how you
can participate to help a neigh-
bor, friend, or fellow member.
From time to time you will
see us with our little red pop-
corn machine at various loca-
tions and functions (Christmas
Bazaar, at local businesses,
festivals, and at our own office).
We hand out popcorn and ask
only for a donation to our pro-
gram. We also like to have the
opportunity to visit with our
members while we are there.
On Saturday, September 16,
we will be participating in the
community garage sale here in
Vernonia. Our garage sale will
be held in our parking lot
across the street from the co-
op office. If the weather is bad
we will move it into our truck
bays. All of the items are donat-
ed and all of the funds raised
from the sale will go to the
“Care to Share” Energy Assis-
tance Program. Come by and
take a look as we will have a
large variety of items including
tools, golf equipment, furniture,
a large chest freezer, baby
clothing and toys, a set of tires
and rims, a bicycle, boat, and
much more. Our staff will be
working at the sale and will
have the popcorn machine go-
ing as well. We’d love to have
you stop by and make a pur-
chase or a donation.
We also invite any of you
who would like to donate to our
“Care to Share” Energy Assis-
tance Program to give us a call
503-429-3021, or stop by our
office. Each dollar will go direct-
ly to help those who, for what-
ever misfortune or circum-
stance, find themselves unable
to pay all or part of their power
bill. With the increasing costs of
gas for auto or home use, it be-
comes more difficult to make a
dollar stretch as far as it used
to. We experience first hand
the struggles and difficulties
that sometimes occur with our
members and are pleased to
be able to contribute in some
way to helping those that need
some assistance.
Those needing assistance
are directed by our office to St.
Vincent de Paul who then de-
termine who is eligible to re-
ceive funds. They are very sup-
portive of our local communi-
ties and our members’ needs
and we thank them for the great
work they do and the benefits
they provide. We feel good
about helping and supporting
Page 13
those organizations who are
busy helping others. We hope
you will, too.
Volunteer at the Vernonia Grange
The Vernonia Grange will be
holding two Fall Workdays, on
September 23 and October 21,
from 10:00 a.m. to dusk. Volun-
teers are welcome. Gloves, re-
freshments, equipment and
supplies will be provided.
The Grange will, once again,
host a Haunted House this
year. They need help setting
up, theatrical and prop assis-
tance during the event and help
with clean-up the next day.
The Grange is located at
375 North St., Vernonia. To
sign up for the Haunted House,
call Maggie Peyton at 503-429-
2401.
Save Time and Money
Shop Local
S U P P O RT
T H E A D V E RT I S E R S W H O K E E P
Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
FREE
New Vernonia Business
We have Pantech,
The Worlds Smallest Flip phone.
Yours FREE with new service
or choose the Nokia 6030
Products & Services Offered
• PC parts & Service
Low Rates for PC repair
Come In and upgrade/renew your Cingular
We build new computers
wireless plan. Get new Cingular service and
• Cingular Service and a
Receive your choice of a Pantech Camera
Wide Variety of cell phones
phone or Nokia cell phone free*
• Office Supplies
*see store for details
• 24 hr. Ink& Toner Refill
Open Mon. thru Sat.10 a.m. to 7 p.m
Tel: 503.429.TECH (8324)
Located at - 842 Madison Ave (Old Buckleberry Cottage building)