Colette Cox of Wamic, OR – Treasured Gem in Our Community

Rural Community Builder Name: Colette Cox

Community: Wamic, Oregon

Role: Barlow Gate Grange

What is one word or phrase that describes this person as an RCB: Persistent

Recognized by: Kathleen Willis

Tell us a bit about what you appreciate about them as an RCB: It is hard to state all the ways Colette has given to the South Wasco community. We are a collection of mostly unincorporated small towns (200-400 pop), remote, and low-income. Colette has for years served at Potlatch (weekly senior meals) and holiday boxes for those who have very little. Before COVID hit, she organized ESL classes for our immigrant community members. She’s helped with food preservation workshops for the past two years and single-handedly brought food relief from the Columbia Gorge Food Bank (CGFB) to our community immediately after COVID hit. Many volunteers organized at her lead and generous assistance and ongoing support from the CGFB, two new permanent (and much needed) food pantries have opened in Wamic and Maupin, Oregon. Colette is a treasured gem in our community.