Thank You, Paula Peek: Honoring a Cornerstone of Our Community

Bill and Paula Peek

After years of dedicated service, Paula Peek is stepping down from her formal leadership role in the MB Cluster. We take a moment to celebrate the warmth, humor, and tireless commitment she brought to preparedness in Manzanita — and the lasting mark she leaves on all of us.

It's hard to capture everything Paula Peek has meant to the MB Cluster, but those who have crossed paths with her know exactly what we mean.

For many of us in the MB Cluster, Paula Peek was one of the very first people we met when we arrived in Manzanita — and one of the first to help us understand what it truly means to live in a coastal community that takes preparedness seriously.

With warmth, humor, and unwavering dedication, Paula welcomed neighbors, shared evacuation maps and tsunami safety information, and encouraged countless residents to become involved in emergency preparedness efforts. Her passion inspired many of us to take Neighborhood Radio ("Yellow Radio") training, participate in CERT and WaSH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) programs, and step into volunteer leadership roles ourselves.

Paula played an instrumental role in establishing and supporting the MB Cluster's Safe Haven at Scovel's storage facility, ensuring a location outside the inundation zone where neighbors could gather and support one another during emergencies. She was also a constant presence during CERT trainings and community drills — always willing to help wherever needed. Whether assisting with logistics, supporting exercises, or proudly performing what she liked to call "traffic management" (because, as she joked, they wouldn't let her have a gun for "traffic control"), Paula brought both professionalism and laughter to every event.

Her leadership helped strengthen not only our emergency preparedness capabilities, but also the sense of community and connection that makes Manzanita special. While Paula may be stepping down from her formal leadership role, the impact she has had on this community will continue for many years to come.

On behalf of grateful neighbors and volunteers throughout the cluster, thank you, Paula, for your countless hours of service, encouragement, mentorship, and friendship. Your work has made our community safer, stronger, and more connected.