At the recent Tillamook Chamber Banquet, guest speaker Kaylan Sisco shared a story that many of us can relate to. He spoke about the early days of his career, attending banquets and fundraisers, feeling the passion in the room, but not always having the extra funds to participate in the “Raise Your Card” portion of the evening.
During his time on stage, Kaylan asked the audience for a different kind of contribution. He invited everyone to write down what they loved about Tillamook County on the back of their cards, even if they couldn’t donate. He wanted us to give something that made a lasting impact: our gratitude.
Reading through those cards was heartwarming. It served as a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do. We wanted to share some of the highlights with you because, honestly, we couldn’t agree more.
The recurring theme throughout almost every card was the people. There is a unique resilience here; no matter your background or your views, when times get hard, this community pulls together to help each other out.
“I love that Tillamook works hard to support its youth and empower them to succeed.”
Many of you also pointed to the intersection of our heritage and our daily lives, the way our industries shape our identity and our families.
“Tillamook is a great place to raise a family. Hunting, fishing, and the agriculture industry is amazing. The small-town feel and the love between neighbors is remarkable.”
“The people that make up the community and their backgrounds and diverse skills. Logging, farming, coastal living, and tourism. Tillamook is our Heaven on Earth.”
There’s a specific kind of magic in a place where a trip to the grocery store doubles as a social hour.
“I love Tillamook because you can’t go to the store without seeing/visiting with a friend. I love Tillamook because of its small-town devotion to community service; prime example: The entire community supports the Charity Drive.”
“Beautiful green pastures and wildlife.”
At the Tillamook Chamber, our mission is to see this community thrive, not just economically, but socially and culturally. Seeing the outpouring of love on the back of those cards reinforces why we are so proud to serve this area.
Tillamook isn’t just a collection of businesses or a scenic stop on Highway 101; it is a living, breathing ecosystem of support, tradition, and neighborly love. Whether you’ve lived here for generations or you’ve just moved here, you are part of what makes this community so special.
We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people who care so deeply. Thank you for sharing your heart with us and for making Tillamook a place we are all proud to call home.