SWOCC release – Coos Bay, OR – The community giving group 100 Strong Bandon has joined with Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation to help students succeed, making a $2,375 donation to the Barbara Dodrill Scholarship. The women’s volunteer group meets four times a year to raise funds for nonprofit charities that benefit Bandon-area residents. The group’s members chose this project to honor retired SWOCC instructor Barbara Dodrill, who lives in Bandon. The scholarship will assist two female college students 21 years or older demonstrating financial need. First priority for the scholarship is for a Bandon female resident. “100 Strong Bandon is excited to support the Barbara Dodrill Scholarship at SWOCC. We believe this is an important tool to empower older female students from Bandon and help them succeed in their field of study, while honoring a Bandon role model,” said Julie Miller, group co-founder. “If we can mitigate the cost barrier of education for a student, we are thrilled to do so. Our goal is to make an impact on the lives of our local residents.” Dodrill enrolled in college when she was 40, eventually earning a master’s degree. She went on to teach business and accounting at SWOCC, retiring when she was 80. She has been delighted by the new scholarship and community support around education. “I absolutely loved teaching,” Dodrill said. “The important thing in life is education – education for our young people and seeing that future.” These Bandon fundraising women are ensuring their community thrives in the future, too. Since the group’s founding in May 2017, members have contributed more than $42,000 and many volunteer hours to local charities benefiting Bandon residents – all accomplished in quarterly one-hour meetings. Founders Julie Miller and MaryAnn Soukup are excited about the impact of these funds within the community and spreading the idea of neighbors helping neighbors. To find out more about 100 Strong Bandon, go to www.bandon.com/100-strong. To support scholarships at SWOCC, go to www.socc.edu/give
