The Coos Bay Schools Community Foundation presented Kathe McNutt, with its annual “Opening Doors, Enriching Lives” award at the annual Spring Tea on Wednesday, April 12th. Ms. McNutt has coached youth swim programs since 1976, including the Gold Coast Swim Team and the Marshfield High School Swim Team; she was honored as the Oregon Swimming Coach of the Year in 1984. Ms. McNutt also works with young students at Madison Elementary as an Educational Assistant. The Foundation also honored John Eckerman, a much-beloved former Marshfield High School counselor, with a special posthumous award for his contributions to the Foundation and to Coos Bay students. The Spring Tea also featured the Marshfield Jazz Band, a bell choir from Madison Elementary, and other engaging performances. 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 289 grants worth over $160,000 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 1372, Coos Bay, OR 97420. Grant applications for Fall 2017 are available on the Foundation website www.coosbayschoolsfoundation.org, and are due May 1st.
