The Coos Bay Schools Community Foundation presented James Martin, former Coos Bay School Board President, and Ellen Webster, a parent of three children in the Coos Bay School District, with its annual “Opening Doors, Enriching Lives” awards at their annual Spring Tea on Wednesday, April 11th. James Martin and Ellen Webster were recognized for their impressive leadership of the successful bond measure campaign to improve school buildings in the Coos Bay School District.  Construction planning has begun for over $65 million in improvements to District facilities. The event raised over $17,000 to support programs for Coos Bay students. The Spring Tea also featured Marshfield High School’s Swing Dance Club, song selections performed by students from Blossom Gulch and Madison Elementary, and the high school’s New Horizons acapella group. The Coos Bay Schools Community Foundation was formed during 2007 to promote programs for the arts, academics, activities and athletics for the benefit of the students of the Coos Bay School District by raising funds through community partnerships.  The Foundation is a community-based, not-for-profit organization separate from the Coos Bay School District. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded 339 grants worth over $206,000 to programs providing students with expanded opportunities and unique educational experiences in Coos Bay Public Schools. Donations to the Foundation can be mailed to P.O. Box 873, Coos Bay, OR 97420.  Grant applications for Fall 2018 are available on the Foundation website www.coosbayschoolsfoundation.org, and are due May 18th.