Volunteers in Winlock cleaning up in 2014.
The Winlock City Council is looking for volunteers to help the City of Winlock and other volunteer organizations. Winlock has seen volunteers disappear these past few years and the council would like your help in bringing Winlock back. Volunteers are needed for Winlock, whether it's the Winlock Park Board, the Lions Club, or the Winlock Improvement Network, your help is needed.
In the 60s and 70s, until the 2000s, Winlock had a busy downtown core, every building was full. Back in the 70s, we had a Safeway, Ben Franklin, and Rexall Drug Store. If you can imagine it, all the streets were filled with people shopping, enjoying time with their families, and lots of laughter. It was the people who made Winlock and it is the people again, who can bring Winlock back.
Now, fast forward 40 years, we have more citizens, but less businesses and volunteers. Volunteers are the backbone of every community, whether you have talents in computers, gardening or even handling a paint brush, we need your help. Whether you are new to the community or lived here for decades, we all want Winlock to come back.
Winlock City Councilor Lonnie Dowell stated, "Volunteers are the cornerstone of what makes Winlock Great. Park volunteers ensuring that Winolequa Park is ready to support the Easter Egg Hunt, Music Festival and sporting events throughout the year; the skate park repairs and upgrades; Lions Club hosting numerous events for back to school and Christmas; WIN Group putting up Christmas lights; garbage pickup along the streets; numerous sports coaches ensuring the children have places and games to play; neighbors helping neighbors and the list just keeps going on and on. Volunteer Park has been named in honor of them all. They have huge hearts and deep desire to make positive changes that impact us all. So if you are part of any organization or club that gives time and energy to making a difference in Winlock in any way shape or form, you have my sincere thanks and full support. Winlock wouldn't be the same without you."
Anne Randt stated, "I have been on Winlock City Council since 2018, concerned with helping to make improvements to our city for our citizens. The current council is now working together toward that goal, we are able to agree to disagree and still accomplish issues for the benefit of the city and citizens. Winlock City Council is seeking citizens help and input for obtaining volunteers for the City Park Department. Volunteers are essential. We need volunteers to help out at different levels of commitment. You can make a difference using your skills and talents. We do have current Park Board Members willing to assist anyone in volunteering. If you have time available to volunteer, please stop by city hall and submit an application. We would like to be able to keep our City Parks in the great shape they are currently in for our families to enjoy but without volunteers this may not be possible."
Jeramy Allman, who is on Winlock City Council and also a newcomer to the area stated, "I moved to Winlock at the beginning of 2018. After spending a month working very hard to get my house in shape to move into with my family, we moved into our home on 2nd street. Being a place I want to make my lifelong home, I began to see what was happening around me. Why are so many buildings downtown vacant? I began attending council meetings and decided that running for council would be the best way for me to make a better community for my three growing boys. I also volunteered to help with Egg Days. I did not want to sit in the sidelines and hope someone else takes action. It's time we all gather together for a common goal to better our community and bring us all together while we work at it."
Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Svenson stated, "My family and I have lived in Winlock for 10 years. Throughout that time I've been frustrated, as many have, with the way some things have gone in our community. At some point you have to stop being so critical of things and take action. All of us working together can restore the type of community we've had in the past and want for our future."
If you have a student in school who needs to use community service hours, why not spend those hours in Winlock, helping build a better community for their future and their kids future. We can all work together.
Winlock is a great community, it will take all of us to bring it back and take an interest in this great little city with the big egg. Winlock needs you, call Winlock City Hall at 360-785-3811 to ask about our volunteering opportunities.