Each year the Agate Festival offers a raffle for valuable prizes of merchandise and gift certificates from local merchants. Proceeds from the raffle are contributed to an organization or local project that benefits the community.
2024 Recipient
Cape Perpetua Collaborative
In keeping with the festival’s commitment to preserving and enjoying the beautiful natural environment that surrounds the Yachats area, proceeds from our raffles are donated to local projects that share our goals. This year proceeds will be contributed to The Cape Perpetua Collaborative.
In 2017, conservationists, NGOs, government agencies, and a local tribe came together to form The Cape Perpetua Collaborative, a partnership dedicated to fostering conservation through scientific research and educational stewardship within the local community.
Working together, the Collaborative aims to accelerate the pace at which Oregonians are made aware of and support in and around the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve through our events, citizen scientist initiatives, and community education. https://capeperpetuacollaborative.org/
2023 Recipient
The Little Log Church
The Little Log Church has been a part of this coastal community for generations, first as an active church, then as a museum. It became a museum in 1970 and was deeded to the City of Yachats in 1986. The Little Log Church and Museum houses photographs of the area, settler exhibits, and works by former resident artists and authors. The Little Log Church and Museum is operated by volunteers on behalf of the City of Yachats for citizens and visitors alike. Currently it is closed awaiting repairs.
The Little Log Church is located at the corner of West 3rd and Pontiac Streets in the heart of Yachats.
2020 Recipient
SOLVE
SOLVE’s mission is simple: to bring Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Each year, approximately 30,000 SOLVE volunteers come together at over 900 projects statewide to protect and improve Oregon’s communities and natural areas. Check out their website for more information and ways you can volunteer. www.solveoregon.org
2019 Recipient
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
The mission of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue is to provide a well trained and equipped professional team of volunteers who are prepared to respond rapidly, effectively, and safely to serve as an additional resource in the search and rescue of lost, missing, and overdue persons. Currently, there are 28 trained volunteers in the non-profit organization. Members of Search and Rescue are involved in: Urban and wilderness search and rescue, evidence search, assisting other counties, and community events. Their commitment is to do so with honor and integrity while conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain the confidence of those they serve.
The Yachats Agate Festival is pleased to support them.
2018 Recipient
The Yachats Community Fund
We are so pleased to donate this year’s raffle proceeds to the Yachats Community Fund. This fund provides small amounts of cash and other necessities to people that are in a bind and need immediate assistance. This help is so needed – especially during the winter months. Included in this fundraising event is the Rock-The-Sock Sock Collection. Brings new socks to donate to people that could really use clean, warms socks.
2017 Recipient
The Yachats Rural Fire Protection District
The Yachats Rural Fire Protection District has been a vital part of our community since 1949, providing emergency services, training, rescue, and safety education to all. The department consists of ten volunteers, four paid paramedic fire fighters, and two paid EMT staff. They provide coverage around the clock, with at least two staff members on duty at all times.
We are pleased to donate all of this year’s proceeds from our raffle to the YRFPD as a thank you for their many contributions to the Yachats community. Monies will go toward purchase of needed equipment.
2016 Recipient
The Little Log Church
In keeping with the festival’s commitment to preserving and enjoying the beautiful natural environment that surrounds the Yachats area, proceeds from our raffles are donated to local projects that share our goals. This year proceeds will be contributed to the historic Little Log Church Museum’s garden enhancement projects.
The Little Log Church has been a part of this coastal community for generations, first as an active church, then as a museum. Today it houses items pertaining to local history, works of local artists, and is host to many weddings, small concerts, poetry readings, etc. Its lovely grounds attract many visitors. Among the goals of the all-volunteer board of directors are to create a descriptive guide identifying the many native plants and trees on the grounds and to install a memorial walkway that acknowledges those volunteers that have served the Little Log Church and the Yachats community over the years.
The Little Log Church is located at the corner of West 3rd and Pontiac Streets in the heart of Yachats.
2015 Recipient
Yachats Trails Committee
At one time there were no formal dedicated trails in Yachats until the 16 year legal process began to implement the north and south 804 Trail, under the leadership of Mayor Lee Corbin and Andrea Scharff. Additional trails were created under the leadership of Lauralee Svensgaard and the Yachats Trails Committee members, primarily the Amanda Trail, the Ya’Xaik (Yah-hike) Trail, and the trail through the Gerdemann Botanic Preserve. Yachats is now beneficiary of a comprehensive trails system that has become a popular destination for hikers, walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
The trails project receives some funding from the City of Yachats through visitor occupancy taxes, but cuts in the budget due to reduced income from these taxes have affected all recipients of visitor amenity funds. Although there is a good pool of volunteers willing to work on trail maintenance and the removal of non-native plants, many are of ages that preclude heavy physical labor. The committee has been using the services of skilled crews from our local Job Corps and the Northwest Youth Corps, most of whom are in the 18 to 24 year age range, and who are paid approximately $15.00 per hour for their work. The workers are from Lincoln County, and through projects such as these they receive valuable training and experience.
Donations from the Agate Festival paid for maintenance services as well as other uses, such as an infra-red counter that would track usage of the trails system.
Thanks to all who have donated to these worthy causes!