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Community Organizations
The City of Ridgefield is fortunate to have a strong base of citizens that take pride in their community and exhibit this pride through participating in the many public groups and events held in Ridgefield throughout the year.
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation's largest wartime veterans' service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in the community. The organization advocates patriotism and honor, promotes strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow service members and veterans. The Ridgefield post was chartered in November 2007 and is best known for installing the flags at the roundabouts and along the streets in downtown Ridgefield.
The Backyard Habitat Certification Program provides technical assistance, incentives, resources, and recognition to private property owners to restore native wildlife habitats, control invasive weeds, reduce pesticides, and manage stormwater at home. The program is designed to increase effective management of privately-held lands by partnering with communities.
The Clark County Arts Commission supports the growing arts and cultural community and its many artists and performers. The Arts Commission strives to stimulate participation and growth in the arts throughout Clark County by increasing access to the arts and encouraging the community to cultivate a thriving environment of creative expression and appreciation for the Arts.
The Council for the Homeless is dedicated to helping everyone in Clark County have the opportunity for safe and affordable housing. Their mission is to lead the community’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
The Garden Club is a group of community members dedicated to making Ridgefield beautiful with various flowers and plants. They are responsible for assisting with the purchase of the hanging flower baskets in downtown Ridgefield and their volunteers plant and maintain the flower pots along the sidewalks in downtown Ridgefield. The club is 75+ years old, with a monument dedicated to the founders at Davis Park.
Visit the Ridgefield Garden Club website or email them to get involved.
Overview
We show a documentary film at the historic Old Liberty Theater in downtown Ridgefield on the 4th Wednesday of the month followed by a community discussion. We often have a panel of experts on the film subject. Our programming is on hold due to the COVID pandemic but we look forward to seeing you in person as soon as it is safe to do so.
Purpose
Our purpose is to gather, educate, advocate, build meaningful community, defend justice, and work for peace through showing documentaries and discussing.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our team is always looking for volunteers to help at the screenings, promote on social media, and research films. Email to get involved.
Donate
You can donate to our parent organization, the Meaningful Movies Project. At our screenings, you can donate at the door.
Contact or Follow Us
Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a non-profit food and clothing bank that provides services to people in need within our local community. Food comes from the Clark County Food Bank, Fresh Alliance, food drives and the community at large.
Food distribution occurs Tuesday 10:00-12:30pm and Thursday 2:30-5:30pm.
For more information, visit them at 21814 NW 11th Avenue or call 360-887-3354.
The Ridgefield Neighbors on Watch (NOW) program, as a volunteer arm of the City of Ridgefield Police Department, helps build positive relationships between local law enforcement, communities, and residents by contributing to public safety.
NOW volunteers visit neighborhoods and other areas primarily on foot to serve as a visible deterrent to crime. They are tasked with noting any safety concerns and calling in any suspicious activity in real-time. Volunteers also provide extra hands to help with community events. The program helps build positive relationships between local law enforcement, communities, and residents.
The Ridgefield 4th of July Committee is an incorporated non-profit organization which promotes a spirit of patriotism through an annual Independence Day celebration in Ridgefield, Washington.
The Committee is organized and operated solely by volunteers in our community.
Overview
An Art Association that includes all the arts.
Purpose
Supporting the Arts in our Community.
Volunteer Opportunities
Help with events and classes. Email Ridgefield Art Association to get involved.
Donate
Monetary and services. Checks can be sent to:
- Ridgefield Art Association
P.O. Box 746
Ridgefield, WA 98642 - Email Ridgefield Art Association
Connect With Us
- Ridgefield Art Association website
- Maureen O'Reilly, President
The Ridgefield Chamber was incorporated in 2018 with a mission "to promote and connect the business community with the development of goals, programs, and education that cultivate growth and prosperity." The Chamber holds monthly general meetings and R-Biz networking events, quarterly workshops, and additional benefits for members.
Overview
Our volunteers harvest or pick up donated fruits and vegetables from local gardens and fruit trees. We also purchase fresh produce throughout the year from donated funds.
Purpose
We work with local donors to gather fresh produce which might otherwise go unused and supply nutritious food to needy families through the Ridgefield Family Resource Center and other local organizations.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers pick or pick up produce from local gardens, fruit trees, farms, and stores and deliver to the one of our partners for distribution. Email Ridgefield Community Gleaners Association for an application and to learn more.
Donate
Fresh produce and cash donations are always welcome.
Connect With Us
Overview
Sometimes life presents difficult challenges, but you are not alone. The Ridgefield Family Resource Center (RFRC) is here to help. We will remain open during the school closure so that we can support our students, families, and staff.
Families can have access to our food pantry and personal hygiene items. If you need additional resources please call 360-619-1412 or email Ridgefield Family Resource Center to make an appointment.
Location
We are located in portable C and D to the right of the RACC building. Take Pioneer Street into town and park in the RACC parking lot at 510 Pioneer Street, Ridgefield, WA 98642. We are around the right of the RACC building in the first portable.
Hours
Open to Ridgefield School District families and our community!
Drop-In
Mondays from 1 to 5 pm
Wednesdays from Noon to 4 pm
Thursdays from 1 to 6:30 pm.
We are following safety guidelines allowing one family at a time to shop in the pantry. Email Ridgefield Family Resource Center to make an appointment outside of our open hours if needed.
Donations
We appreciate your interest in supporting the RFRC. The best form of donation at this time is monetary. This will allow us to purchase food and other items for the pantry.
Connect With Us
Overview
Ridgefield Food Project helps provide a sustainable supply of high-quality, non-perishable food to Neighbors Helping Neighbors food pantry (NHN) and the Ridgefield Schools Family Resource Center (RFRC). In 2020, they gathered 14,892 lbs of food AND $15,972.
Purpose
We collect food for neighbors who are in need. On the 2nd Saturday of every even (02 Feb, 04 April, etc) month, our Neighborhood Coordinators pick up food left in Green Bags on front porches of food donors. They leave an empty Green Bag in place for the next collection.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are seeking Neighborhood Coordinators who will explain our program to neighbors, friends, fellow club members, etc, and who will then pick up full Green Bags from those willing individuals every other month and take them to a central collection point. Please email Bill Baumann.
Donate
As our name suggests, we collect food. We also often receive non-edible items like toothpaste, toilet paper, cat litter, dog food, etc…. all things a family in need could use. We also accept cash donations. The easiest way is to send a check made out to Ridgefield Food Project, Box 416, Ridgefield WA 98642.
Contact
- Bill Baumann, Coordinator
https://clarkfoodproject.org/
Overview
The Ridgefield Multicultural Initiative (RMI) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate culture at home and around the world to strengthen our community and reinforce our shared humanity. RMI puts on an annual multicultural festival on the first Saturday in September with help from partners, the City of Ridgefield, and the Port of Ridgefield, and organizes other community events focusing on sharing culture.
Volunteer Opportunities
For volunteer opportunities, please email Megan Dudley.
Connect With Us
Overview
The Friends of Ridgefield Community Library is a recognized, nonprofit, volunteer-led organization that, along with twelve other friend groups in Southwest Washington, operates under the umbrella of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation. The Foundation works to guide, promote, enhance, and expand the FRCL and our activities.
Purpose
The Friends of Ridgefield Community Library (FRCL) is a dedicated group of citizens who actively support the library through advocacy, volunteer services and fundraising. We help to connect the library with our community and the community to our library through education, outreach, sponsoring library-related activities (when appropriate), and funding certain library acquisitions. Because we're citizens like you, we share ideas for new library resources, programs, and directions. In other words, we help to make "the" library "your" library.
Volunteer Opportunities
As a volunteer and membership-based organization, there are many opportunities for citizens to get involved either as a member of the Friends, as a volunteer, or both. Volunteer/member activities include serving on the board of directors, serving on a committee, helping with fundraising events (used book sales, etc.), helping with library programs, and helping at outreach events. The list goes on! Offering to share your special skills or knowledge is always appreciated.
Email the Friends to volunteer or to become a member. Sign up for trial membership and show your support for libraries, literacy, lifelong learning, reading, and advocacy.
Donate
The Friends depend on membership dues and monetary donations to support our mission and purpose. Contact the Friends for more information. Donations may be mailed to: Friends of Ridgefield Community Library, P.O. Box 534, Ridgefield, WA 98642.
Connect With Us
The Friend's mission is to support, protect, and enhance the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and its wildlife habitat, as well as broaden public awareness and participation through its environmental, cultural, and educational opportunities. The Wildlife Refuge offers a beautiful natural environment for exploring and bird watching, a Chinookan-style Plankhouse for connecting with our region's First Peoples, community events, and opportunities to get involved in habitat restoration programs.
For more information or to become a member, contact the Friends by calling 360-887-9495, or email Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
Board Meetings: Every 2nd Monday of the month, 5 pm. Port of Ridgefield Meeting Room.
Overview
Founded in 1948, Ridgefield Lions are the leading service organization, involved in dozens of community events/projects annually.
Purpose
Helping individuals with eyesight issues and working to eradicate diabetes.
Volunteer Opportunities
Information about Services and Fundraising can be found online here.
Donate
Cash donations always welcomed! Donations and funds raised go to scholarships and projects in the Ridgefield area.
Connect With Us
Overview
RMS is a non-profit organization dedicated to Downtown. We work on beautification, economic vitality and historic preservation. 5-years in operation with one staff person and volunteer board of directors.
Purpose
Our mission is to create a sustainable, vibrant downtown that is the heart and soul of our city by showcasing our unique destination and history, and by nurturing our sense of community.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have four operating committees and will need help with special projects and future special events. Email Ridgefield Main Street to get involved.
Donate
Donations are gratefully accepted via check or credit card.
- P.O. Box 1656
Ridgefield, WA - Ridgefield Main Street website using the "Donate" button
Connect With Us
Overview
Soroptimist believes the most effective way to empower women and girls is by providing them with access to education. Educated women and girls are far more likely to realize their potential. Soroptimist members belong to local clubs, such as this one, which determine the focus of their work in their communities.
As part of a global effort, Soroptimist members reach beyond their local borders. Soroptimists work together to help women and girls near and far by giving them resources to improve their economic and social standing for themselves, their families, their communities, and the world.
Soroptimist is a dynamic group of volunteers who care about making the world a better place for women and girls.
Purpose
Mission: Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
Vision: Women and girls have the resources and opportunities to reach their full potential and live their dreams.
Volunteer Opportunities
The two signature projects of Soroptimist International of the Americas are the Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women, and Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls. Additional local club programs and projects may focus on issues such as domestic violence, women's health, human trafficking, and teen dating violence. SISW members meet monthly locally, however, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some fundraising events, projects, and programs are on "pause."
For more information on how to get involved, please email Jeanne Androvich.
Donate
SISW is a 503(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable contributions and membership dues to support its programs. Monetary donations are always needed and appreciated. Send checks made payable to Soroptimist International of Southwest Washington to:
- SISW
PO Box 794
Ridgefield, WA 98642
Connect With Us
- Soroptimist website
- Jeanne Androvich, Co-President