Colleen and Eric Wiesel were recognized by the Greater Bandon Association as Bandon’s Volunteer of the Month at the July 1st meeting of Bandon’s City Council. GBA presents this award to one the many outstanding individuals that contribute to making Bandon a better community to live in. Colleen and Eric were presented the award in form of a plaque and a gift certificate from Bandon Coffee Cafe.

Thanksgiving meals have been served in the Bandon community for 40 years and meals were added on Christmas as well. Everyone, regardless of income is welcome. In addition to the almost 450 people that are fed at these events, over 100 more meals also are delivered to home-homebound people. The meals take hours to plan, schedule and execute with about 40 people in the community coming to cook, greet, serve and cleanup.

Colleen and Eric have been coordinating all this since 2015. The Wiesels helped with the meals since Eric’s parents, Al and Syd Wiesel, moved to Bandon 21 years prior to that.

They begin planning and rounding up volunteers for the events many months in advance. Food preparation starts the day before with chopping and cooking for the next day. Colleen and Eric arrive on the day of the meal at 3 AM with other volunteers beginning to show up at 6:30. They finally get to go home to relax about 7PM.

Colleen and Eric contribute to their community in many other ways as well. Both have served on the Board and as President of their Homeowners Association, for example.

The Greater Bandon Association will be honoring one of Bandon’s many volunteers that are making a difference in the community each month. Nominations for the August award should be e-mailed to harv@greaterbandon.org or mailed to P.O. Box 161 by close of business on July 26th.