Greater Bandon By the Sea Association
Greater Bandon By the Sea Association
Past Volunteers of the Month
These dedicated volunteers contributed so much to the community of Bandon.
Volunteer of the Month - December 2025
Laurie Friedman
The Greater Bandon Association is proud to recognize Laurie Friedman as its December Volunteer of the Month for her exceptional service with Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA) and her broader dedication to the community.
In fewer than four years with SEA, Laurie has become indispensable. She serves on the Board of Directors and as SEA’s Volunteer Coordinator, where she plays a central role in sustaining the wildlife interpretation program. From recruiting, training, scheduling, and supporting volunteers to creating and managing the RV Volunteer program for both SEA and State Parks, Laurie helps ensure shoreline education thrives in our region.
Laurie’s greatest strength is her ability to connect with people. Her warm, encouraging approach has inspired many local residents—often hesitant at first—to become wildlife interpreters. She regularly accompanies volunteers to Simpson Reef, attends every interpreter training to ensure participants feel welcomed and prepared, and oversees the careful storage and maintenance of SEA’s scientific equipment and artifacts.
Her impact extends well beyond SEA’s core programs. Through creativity and collaboration, Laurie has helped expand SEA’s reach by building partnerships with other organizations. These efforts include tidepool interpreter training with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program in Cannon Beach, early tidepool tours at the new Coquille Point Marine Garden through South Slough, and bringing Puffin Specialist Katherine Luscher of the Bird Alliance of Oregon to Bandon for SEA’s Puffin Welcome events. Each spring, she also dedicates countless hours to organizing volunteer sign-ups and serves as SEA’s primary liaison with State Parks for RV volunteer placements.
Beyond SEA, Laurie has volunteered with the St. John Episcopal Medical Loan Closet since last December, further reflecting her deep commitment to serving others.
Laurie’s dedication, steady leadership, and ability to turn ideas into meaningful action have made a lasting impact on SEA and the Bandon community. With new initiatives already taking shape, her leadership promises continued growth and enrichment for shoreline education in our region.
Congratulations Laurie!
Volunteer of the Month - October 2025
Bear Slothower
The Greater Bandon Association is delighted to recognize Bear Slothower as our October Volunteer of the Month, a community leader whose years of dedicated service have left a lasting mark on nearly every corner of Bandon.
A Steady Hand in City Planning
Bear served on the Bandon Planning Commission for seven years, including three years as Chair. His thoughtful leadership helped guide growth and development in ways that honor Bandon’s unique character. When a vacancy opened on the City Council, Bear stepped forward once again to serve his community in a new capacity.
Battling Gorse
As Bandon’s volunteer Vegetation Management Coordinator, affectionately known as the “Gorse Czar,” Bear spent two years leading the charge against invasive gorse. His tireless work and organizational efforts helped pave the way for the City to hire a dedicated staff member to continue this essential work for community safety and environmental health
Art in the Sand
For the past six years, Bear has been an integral part of Circles in the Sand, where he helps craft portions of the labyrinth paths, coordinates volunteer rakers, and often contributes artistic flourishes that make each labyrinth a one-of-a-kind creation. His creativity and commitment shine through in every pattern drawn on the sand.
Supporting Young Readers
Before his vegetation management work took off, Bear volunteered with the SMART Reading Program at Bandon Elementary School, spending a year helping children discover the joy of reading, one story at a time.
Always Lending a Hand
Bear’s community spirit extends to the Greater Bandon Association, where he regularly helps with Wine Walks, the Gorse Blossom Festival, Night of 10,000 Lights, and parking coordination during the Holiday Lights Parade. He also volunteers at the Cranberry Festival, assisting with parades, alcohol monitoring, and traffic control.
His quiet leadership, good humor, and willingness to serve wherever he’s needed make him an inspiration to all of us.
Please join us in celebrating Bear Slothower, our October Volunteer of the Month, for his many years of commitment, creativity, and care for our community.
Volunteer of the Month - September 2025
Josh Adamson
Josh Adamson is the kind of community member every town hopes to have. Even while working full-time and serving on the city council, he somehow finds the time — and energy — to show up, step in, and give back to Bandon in meaningful and lasting ways.
Over the years, Josh has worn many hats in service to our community. He’s served on the board of the Bandon Community Youth Center, contributed his insight on the Bandon School District Budget Committee, and dedicated countless hours to the beloved Cranberry Festival. Josh also contributed to the Holiday with a Hero program last Christmas.
His impact continues with the Greater Bandon Association. Josh has served as a board member and currently lends his talents to both the Economic Vitality Committee and the Promotions Committee. Whether he’s helping coordinate Night of 10,000 Lights or driving Santa in the Holiday Lights Parade, Josh brings enthusiasm, reliability, and a true community spirit to everything he does.
Josh’s commitment to this community doesn’t go unnoticed. He exemplifies what it means to serve, and we are deeply grateful for all that you do.
Congratulations from the Greater Bandon by the Sea Association.
Volunteer of the Month - July 2025
Wade Troxell
Wade and his wife, Sharon, moved to Bandon in September 2022 after retiring and relocating from Texas. Wade spent 30 years with Target Corporation, most notably leading a major distribution center in East Texas for 22 years as a Senior Distribution Director. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Wade also served our country for six years as an Artillery Officer in the United States Marine Corps.
During his first year in Bandon, Wade volunteered at the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. His love of the outdoors and bird watching continues to keep him connected to the natural beauty of our region.
Wade’s impact truly shines through his leadership with the Friends of Bandon Parks and Recreation, where he serves as Executive Vice President and Treasurer. He previously served on Bandon’s Parks and Recreation Commission and has played a key role in many local events and initiatives, including serving as project manager for the 2nd Annual Bike Rodeo at Ocean Crest Elementary and coordinating FOBPR’s participation in the school’s Health Fair.
He also played a major part in organizing the group’s Cranberry Festival activities and recently facilitated the donation of playground toys to the Bandon Youth Center. Wade helped secure funding from the City’s Revenue Sharing program to help support the mission of FOBPR—enhancing parkland and recreational opportunities for our residents and visitors alike.
Calm, good-humored, and always insightful, Wade Troxell brings heart and thoughtfulness to everything he does. We are fortunate to have him in Bandon, and the Greater Bandon Association is delighted to recognize him as our Volunteer of the Month.
Volunteer of the Month - June 2025
Anne McCaleb
At last night’s Bandon City Council meeting, the Greater Bandon Association proudly recognized Anne McCaleb as our Volunteer of the Month for June 2025. Surrounded by community members and colleagues, Anne received the award in gratitude for her dedication to Bandon and its many organizations.
Since moving to Bandon in 2020, Anne has immersed herself in service to our community. Anne’s dedication stretches across numerous organizations: she has been a member of the Southern Coos Hospital finance committee since 2021, Treasurer of the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, and she joined the Greater Bandon Association Board late last year. She has served as the treasurer for the VFQ Auxilliary since 2023. She’s also a committed Rotarian since 2022 – and as of this year, she is the incoming President Elect for Rotary.
Anne’s vision and care for others led her to found Second Spring, a perimenopause support group dedicted to providing resources, connection, and support for local women navigating a significant life transition.
In addition to her many volunteer roles, Anne offers her professional services as a CPA to local nonprofits—often at no cost—and sponsors vital community events like Women’s Health Day and local golf tournaments. Her efforts go far beyond the professional, and sometimes even include “volunteering” her husband for extra hands-on help.
Anne’s contributions are a shining example of what it means to be part of a caring, connected community. She reminds us that when we lift each other up, we create a place where everyone can thrive.
Congratulations, Anne, and thank you for all you do to make Bandon an amazing place to live.
Volunteer of the Month - April 2025
Susie Zohreh
Greater Bandon Association’s Volunteer of the Month award to someone whose impact on our community is as deep as the roots she tends in the soil — Susie Zohreh.
Since 2020, Susie has been the garden manager of the Good Earth Community Garden. As part of the garden’s board, the garden has truly blossomed– not only in the literal sense, but as a hub for connection, nourishment and sustainability. Thanks to her vision, energy, and ability to see projects through, the garden has become not only more productive but more welcoming and accessible to all.
Susie is also a board member of the South Coast Community Garden Association, a Certified Master Gardener, and an active participant in both the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team and the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Her love for the environment is clear — whether she’s protecting our coastline or helping our native species.
Some people may know Susie through her service on the City of Bandon’s Budget Committee. She brings the same thoughtful, community-focused approach to that work as she does in every volunteer role she takes on.
Susie also volunteers at Everyone at the Table — always willing to wash dishes. She is a Certified Emergency Response Team member, and like many in our community, she feels the absence of Bandon’s former CERT program, which has since dissolved. She’s even considering what it might take to help bring it back.
But above all, Susie says the most rewarding volunteer work she does is raising her grandson, Zain, and caring for her parents. That kind of selfless love and commitment is what makes her such a bright light in our community.
Thank you, Susie — for your vision, your action, and your heart. You make Bandon better every day.
Please join the Greater Bandon by the Sea Association in congratulating our Volunteer of the Month, Susie Zohreh.
Volunteer of the Month - February 2025
Preston Wayte
Preston Wayte, quartermaster of VFW Post #3440—now simply known as “The Post”— has been a driving force behind its recent transformation and success. Since moving to Bandon six years ago and joining The Post five years ago, Preston has worn just about every hat imaginable. He started as the IT guy, but that role quickly expanded—because when something needs to be done, Preston steps up.
During his time at The Post, he has:
- Secured OLCC approval for the canteen to serve alcohol
- Written and secured grants to support vital improvements
- Overseen roof repairs, gutter replacements, kitchen upgrades, and even a walk-in cooler installation
- Managed landscaping projects, IT systems, and the bookkeeping
- Installed a point-of-sale system and led a restroom remodel
- Even stepped into the kitchen, cooking for nearly a year until a new chef was hired.
And if you think that’s impressive—yes, he’s even cleaned the toilets.
Nan Sands, who nominated Preston, called him a “Jack of all trades and a master of some.” It’s safe to say there’s hardly a job at The Post that Preston hasn’t done.
But perhaps what makes Preston’s contributions even more special is how he has worked to open The Post to the community—creating opportunities for everyone to gather, connect, and enjoy events like Taco Tuesdays, Friday night dinners, and bingo.
Preston, your dedication has not only strengthened The Post but has made it a true hub for veterans and the entire Bandon community. We are so fortunate to have you here, making a difference every single day.
On behalf of the Greater Bandon Association, it is our privilege to present Preston Wayte the Volunteer of the Month Award.
Congratulations, Preston, and thank you for all that you do!
