Laura Brownfield is the May, 2024 Volunteer of the Month

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The Greater Bandon Association awarded Laura Brownfield the May Volunteer of the Month award. Laura’s volunteerism transcends boundaries, to global, national, and local spheres. For over a decade, she has been a beacon of hope for abandoned and orphaned children of Ethiopia. Laura volunteers with Hope for the Hopeless, a program committed to offering care to abandoned and orphaned street children in Ethiopia who have lost their parents and families due to death, disease, or poverty.

On a national level, Laura serves as a bone marrow courier for the National Marrow Donor Program transporting marrow to patients in need. Laura’s contributions support treatment for those fighting blood cancer and blood disorders. Through her actions, she doesn’t merely deliver bone marrow; she delivers hope, healing, and the opportunity for a renewed lease on life.

Closer to home, serving as the Communications Leader of Bandon Pickleball, part of her responsibilites include creating their monthly newsletter. Alongside her fellow Pickleball entuusiasts, she has introduced the local school students to the delights and benefits of the sport. Additionally, her leadership as Vice Chair of the Bandon Parks and Recreation Commission has played a vital role in improving our city parks and recreations programs.

Laura’s impact has been felt far and wide, from the streets of Ethiopia to the heart of our community here in Bandon. Her unwaivering dedication to service serves as an inspiration to us all.

Congratulation, Laura!

Alive After Five Wine Walk Themes

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The first Greater Bandon Association (GBA) Alive After Five Wine Walk will be on Friday, May 24th, 2024. We are bringing back themes this year as part of our 10th-year celebration. The theme for the May 24th Wine Walk will be Bandon Trivia. Keep checking our website for more information about this event.

Our GBA Promotions Committee volunteers will be selling wine glasses at the picnic shelter on the boardwalk on First Street in Bandon. It is right across from the brand-new boat launch and close to the just opened marina. Glasses are $10 per person. After your purchase, enjoy a relaxing walk through Old Town Bandon, where local merchants look forward to displaying their unique products and warmly welcoming visitors.

Sally Glunt is the April, 2024 Volunteer of the Month

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The Greater Bandon Association is delighted to announce Sally Glunt as the recipient of our Volunteer of the Month award, recognizing her exceptional contributions.

As a retired nurse, Sally actively applies her nursing skills through volunteer work at both the Coast Community Health Clinic and the St. John’s Medical Loan Closet. Her commitment to service is evident, having served as the Board president of CCHC for three years and maintaining her board membership for a decade. Sally played a pivotal role in the establishment of the CCHC clinic in Port Orford. Additionally, she has contributed to public health efforts by administering COVID vaccines and providing medical support at Bandon Dunes golf events, offering assistance to both attendees and caddies alike.

Sally has been generously volunteering at the St. John’s Medical Loan Closet for several years. This unique facility allows individuals to borrow medical equipment for three months at no charge.

Sally stands out as a nurse, embodying qualities that go beyond the typical. She always demonstrates care, generosity with her time, and a gentle manner.  Her dedication and compassionate service have not gone unnoticed. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she is honored with the Greater Bandon Association Volunteer of the Month award, a testament to her selfless commitment to improving the well-being of others within our community.

Congratulations Sally!

Supporting Economic Vitality for Small Business Owners

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In partnership with American Express, the Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.


Applications will be accepted from 9:00 am CT on March 14, 2024, through 11:59 pm CT on April 7, 2024. The application period will end once 5,000 applications have been submitted, even if that occurs before the deadline. 

Click on this link, https://www.mainstreet.org/howwecanhelp/backingsmallbusinesses for more information and how to apply. Check out our Greater Bandon Association Tools for Your Business page for more small business support.

Samantha Stanger is the March 2024 Volunteer of the Month

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The Greater Bandon Association is delighted to announce Samatha Stanger as the recipient of our Volunteer of the Month for March 2024.

Samantha has been very active in the city’s tree-planting program over the last three years. Come rain or shine she has been out in City Park coordinating tree plantings and events required to maintain Bandon’s Tree City USA status. She currently serves on the city’s Tree Sub-Committee to ensure stewardship of the program and to continue to have healthy trees in Bandon. Prior to that, Samantha served on the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission as their chair. During her service, Samantha assisted with a grant to purchase new playground equipment, a Reforestation Plan for City Park, and organizing and facilitating multiple Community Work Days.

She also revamped the City of Bandon Tree Guide which is a wealth of information. It covers everything from types of trees to plant based on environmental conditions such as high winds and salt, when to plant, permits and many other resources. She recently donated her time and monetary resources to assist with the removal of tree branches at the Good Earth Community Garden.

Thank you Samantha for your remarkable contributions and commitment to our trees and to enhancing the aesthetics of our community. Congratulations!

Carol Maude is the February 2024 Volunteer of the Month

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We are pleased to announce that Carol Maude has received the February Volunteer of the Month award. Carol’s unwavering dedication and countless service hours have left an indelible mark on our community, particularly through her outstanding contributions to Shoreline Education for Awareness, the SEA program here in Bandon.

Carol has been a beacon of enthusiasm and commitment, especially during critical moments like seal popping and bird nesting season at Coquille Point. Her warm greetings and informative interactions with visitor and residents not only enhances their experience but hopefully fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for our beautiful shoreline.

She also participates frequently in “Whale Watch Spoken Here” along the Oregon coast during whale migrations. She has volunteered for the past two years at the Bandon Cranberry Festival and most recently she was a great addition to our GBA volunteer team at the November and December Nog Walks.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions and selfless dedication to the well-being of our community, it was with great pleasure that we presented Carol with the Volunteer of the Month award. Congratulations Carol!

December 2023 Volunteer of the Month Award from Greater Bandon Association

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Judy Jackson was honored with the December Greater Bandon Associations Volunteer of the Month Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Bandon community. She has served for multiple years as a Good Earth Community Garden Board member. As a certified Master Gardner her expertise and energy have been instrumental in contributing to the success of the community garden, making her a highly valued member.

Her most noteworthy achievement could be the initiation of the St. John’s Medical Loan Closet. This invaluable service allows individuals to borrow medical equipment for three months at no cost, offering significant financial and logistical relief for those dealing with short-term medical needs such as post-surgery recovery or unexpected injuries. Judy has played a pivotal role in streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of the lending system. The impact of her efforts extends across Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties, benefiting a wide range of individuals facing medical challenges. As of this month they have served over 950 people.

Judy Jackson truly exemplifies the qualities deserving of the GBA Volunteer of the Month award. Congratulations, Judy!

Note: I apologize to Judy for not remembering to have our picture taken with her award.

Shining Bright: Bandon’s Holiday Lights Parade Recap & Winners Announced

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Last Saturday, December 9th, 2023, the annual Nog Walk and Holiday Lights Parade took place in Old Town Bandon, organized by the Greater Bandon Association. The evening was splendid, and the parade dazzled with participants including walkers, riders, Jeeps, vans, and fire trucks adorned with festive lights.

Our judges, Joseph Bain and Peter Braun selected three winners.

First Place: The Cheer Float. They won a $30 gift certificate to Forget-Me-Knots Quilt Shop and $30 worth of Chamber Cash.

Cheer Float

Second Place: Bandon Fire Department with two fire trucks. They won $40 worth of Chamber Cash.

Fire truck with Santa and Mrs Claus
Ladder Fire Truck

Third Place: Pacific View Senior Living’s Van, including two staff members and two residents. They won $30 worth of Chamber Cash.

Pacific View Senior Living Van.

Our heartfelt appreciation to all those who decorated an entry and took part in the parade, making it a night to remember. Thanks to all of the Bandon businesses who poured drinks with holiday cheer for the Nog Walk making it a festive evening. Thanks to our judges for their thoughtful consideration of all entries. Special thanks to our dedicated Greater Bandon Association volunteers—Berta Dargen, Carol Maude, Avery Richards, Tom Orsi, Stacey Skrivanek, Bear Slothower and Harv Schubothe, plus our GBA Promotions Committee—for their invaluable assistance with the Nog Walk and the parade.

Happy Holidays from the Greater Bandon Association!

Photo credits: Avery Richards and Bethe Patrick