C.O.G.S. : a report
Items of Progress:
1. The most dramatic change for Springdale has been the opening of our new community Depot. One of our members, Sue Cox, took the extraordinary step of buying the facility which we now use for our meetings, luncheons, craft bazaar, receptions, birthday parties, election returns, broadband hot sport, farmer's market, food bank, dinner and a movie night, card and games night, bingo and drawing classes.
More activities are in the development stage. The census bureau will be testing and recruiting, using the facility in later December. The result will be between 5 and 10 people being employed. Yea!!!!!
Our Depot is a place for people to meet, visit, share ideas, tools, manpower,give and take, and help each other actually be community, not just a nod and hello as we bump into each other at the post office or store, now we're really neighbors, friends, cohorts, engaged, encouraged, inspired and connected.
P.S. Other horizon communities: We meet others at the Post Falls meeting and enjoyed hearing/seeing what the other communities have been doing. We challenged Colville to a zucchini competition later int he year and eagerly accepted.
2. activities community clean-up
3. Clothing pool we have been located at Lanita's laundromat but now they nee the space for other projects The hunt is on for another location.
4. We have had a number of activities involving the Depot and the local public school---Thanks giving and Valentine cards, seniors visiting history and home economics classes.
W.S.U. design students took our Depot as a senior project. Plans were developed for possible expansion and remodeling. Three meeting were held with community at large, 1. providing input and wish lists, 2. mid term presentation, 3. Final at the Depot and the community at large shown the final plan.
5. Seniors cook book-locally producted by a home-school class and now available for $5.00.
Contributions to the above: The Horizions Program is indisputably the initial impetus for all of the above. It brought us to gather( yes, the free lunch helped), organized us, motivated us, and we are sailing on ward.

Describe accomplishment: Poverty reduction is difficult, but our Seniors have a wonderful, lavish, was and Delicious meal to look forward to every Wednesday. free of charge and trans portion is provided.

Significant challenges-local jobs are scarce for both heads of families as well as teenagers. Public transportation is non-existent.

Activities: In addition to our community center activities, we have established our non-profit status with the state, written articles of incorporation, bylaws and applied for 501c3 status.

Partnering: We have meet with Rural Resources, work source personnel and the Score Representative. Americore volunteers will be helping us with project next semester. No funding sources have been developed.

An added note: Gaining a facility for our community has been a great accomplishment. However with any structure that has not been used for a period of time, capital outlay has been problematic. Electrical, heat and air, new roof, all costly items.
But you know, when the community realized what the possibilities could be, any one that could help either in terms of volunteering time or finding affordable help or materials, stepped forward.
As a bonus, to the community, a home theatre was installed and if you ever come to Eastern Washington stop in Springdale and join us for dinner and a movie. Sue Cox