The Bay Area Hospital Community Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $ 10,000 to the Coos Bay Schools Community Foundation (CBSCF). The money will be used to pay for all Coos Bay K-5 elementary students’ swimming classes, for the upcoming school year. Swimming is part of the K-5 curriculum, but the fees associated with the class have been the responsibility of the parent. Students take part in the half hour swim lessons for two weeks during the school year. The grant covers the cost of the pool rental, instructors and some of the transportation costs. The BAH Foundation awards Community Grants each year to organizations working in innovative, collaborative ways with other nonprofits or agencies to foster better health and quality of life for residents of Oregon’s South Coast. Dr. Thomas McAndrew, chair of the Community Foundation Advisory Committee, opined the award of this grant supports the foundation’s mission to “improve the health of our community every day.” Nancy Tedder, one of the grant writers and a retired Coos Bay administrator, said the CBSCF wanted to do something related to one of the foundation’s goals to partnership with businesses and others in the community to help the students in Coos Bay. “We are surrounded by water,” Tedder pointed out. “What better life skill than to teach kids to swim?” “The grant is of further importance,” Tedder went on to say, “to help relieve parents of the financial pressure associated with the cost of the lessons.” Tedder has had a firsthand view of parents who are really struggling financially. “This is something to help relieve some of their financial pressure.” Tedder assisted the principle grant writer, retired Coos Bay Schools administrator, Gina Sutherland. Both women serve on the Coos Bay School Community Foundation Board. The Coos Bay Schools Community Foundation was formed in 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.
