(Photo above: (L-R) Serenity Johnson, Awesome Bend Winner and Olivia Brumwell, Awesome Bend Student Trustee)
Serenity Johnson was the winner of the October Awesome Bend Pitch Night with a proposal called Little Free Libraries. Five finalists presented ideas to make Bend more awesome at the event held on October 20 at the Deschutes Brewery Tap Room. Johnson won the $1,000 grant from ten trustees who each donated $100 to make her idea a reality. With the money, Johnson will build and install at least five little free libraries to bring curbside literacy to the neglected parts of Bend.
“This project [will]promote one of the most valuable things we have—literacy,” said Johnson. “Without reading, we would not be able to do math, drive, shop, learn, and live a functioning life. These libraries [will]not only bring the community closer, but also make the gift of learning accessible to each and every person in Bend.”
Johnson, who just moved to Bend a month ago, is a senior at Summit High School.
“Community involvement is something I have always thrown myself into. I plan on starting my own non-profit once I graduate”, said Johnson. “I believe that I was put on this earth to make the world a better place and winning this grant [will]put me on step closer to doing so.”
Johnson accepted the prize from Awesome Bend’s student trustee Olivia Brumwell, a junior at Bend High. She is sponsored by a regular trustee and participates in the selection process and Pitch Night voting.
“We love that our young people are getting involved and making a difference in our community,” said Pam Stevenson, Awesome Bend’s co-founder. “That’s the quintessence of awesomeness!”
Awesome Bend is now accepting applications for proposals that will make Bend an even better place to live, work or play for its next quarterly grant at www.awesomebend.org. The application deadline is January 1, 2016. Finalists will be notified and invited to present 3-minute pitches at the next Awesome Bend Pitch Night which will be held January 19th, 2016 6pm-8:30pm at the Deschutes Brewery Tap Room, 1044 NW Bond Street in downtown Bend. The event is free and open to the public.
What Is Awesome Bend?
Awesome Bend’s mission is to inspire and support ideas that make Bend an even better place to live, work and play.
The guidelines for grant selection include:
1. The project must be feasible and completed with $1000 within three months of the award.
2. The money cannot be used for personal expenses or general operating expenses for an established charity.
3. Grantees agree to return to the next Pitch Night and tell the community about their project, inspiring future awesomeness.
For more information about the Pitch Night, to apply for a grant or to apply to become a trustee, please visit www.awesomebend.org or email awesomebend@gmail.com.
