Members of 100 Strong Bandon recently donated $5,000 to the Bandon Educational Foundation – Harbor Lights Middle School Electives. HLMS Grade 7 and 8 students, instructors and Principal Becky Armistead have created a slate of engaging new electives for the 2022-2023 school year.
At the top of the list were cabinetmaking and family and consumer sciences. (think modern home ec.) While many members at the May meeting were surprised that the carpentry workshop is not currently taught, Armistead was happy to note that the carpentry workshop is covered and will be made available through a partnership with Bandon High School Career and Technical Education.
By raising funds from the district and through generous donations, Harbor Lights Middle School will offer family and consumer science classes starting next year. Cooking classes will be a featured feature of FACS. Two ranges, a full-size fridge/freezer combo and a chest freezer have already been purchased. This course will also include meal planning, budgeting, shopping within a budget, and buying healthy and nutritious items. In addition to cooking lessons, the basics of sewing and mending will also be taught.
Other electives scheduled for next year’s schedule include:
Artistic/creative writing
Robotics (including competition level/advanced robotics)
STEM (hands-on science, technology, engineering and math projects)
· HMLS will continue its commitment to music with an orchestra and choir available to all pupils in Years 5-8.
Funding from 100 Strong Bandon will help purchase other kitchen essentials: pots, pans, utensils, etc., as well as the foods necessary for Bandon students to learn the basics of meal preparation. In addition to supporting FACS, 100 Strong Bandon funds will also be used to help sponsor gardening and STEM. HLMS would be happy to accept donations from August 7 of good quality gardening, cooking and sewing items that can help defray the cost of shopping needs.
100 Strong Bandon is a circle of women. Quarterly, members meet, select a 501(c)(3) charity that benefits residents of the Bandon area, and make a tax-deductible donation of $50 or more directly to that charity. In addition, the charity selected by the group in the previous quarter presents a report on how it used the funds and thanks the donors.
Founders Julie Miller and MaryAnn Soukup are thrilled with the impact of the funds within the community and the idea of neighbors helping neighbors in this simple setup. Approximately $60,000 has been donated over the past five years. Previously selected charities include Bandon Feeds the Hungry, Bandon Community Preschool, New Artists Productions, Friends of Bandon Parks, Kids’ HOPE Center, St John’s Medical Loan Closet and South Coast Hospice. In addition to financial support, Soukup noted that the charities also received volunteer labor from the group to achieve their goals.
There are no membership fees to join 100 Strong Bandon, and all funds raised go directly to charity. The group is open to women 18 and older living in the Bandon area. Guests are welcome to attend; however, to nominate a charity or vote, you must be a member. To register, go to http://bandon.com/100-strong-bandon-signup/ and complete the membership application.
The next 100 Strong Bandon meeting will be Wednesday, August 17, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Co-Founder Julie Miller encourages all members to mark their calendars now and bring a friend. To learn more about the group, visit www.bandon.com/100-strong or come to the August meeting.
