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Grays Harbor Community Foundation

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Grays Harbor Community Foundation

The Grays Harbor Community Foundation aims to improve the quality of life in communities throughout G

05/27/2026

Check out all the amazing things we accomplished in Grays Harbor last year!

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05/26/2026

Izzie and Margie Taylor, 2026 Montesano Graduates, Earn Over $12,000 in Scholarships Combined from the Grays Harbor Community Foundation

Izzie and Margie Taylor, both student-athletes and involved in several activities throughout their time at Montesano High School, are about to head off in separate directions for the first time in their lives.

Margie plans to head to Washington State University in the fall, with plans to study nursing and eventually become a traveling nurse. Izzie is heading to Gonzaga University to study Business Administration while participating on the rowing team.

During their time at Montesano, the twins served as Tennis and Soccer Captains as well as participated in Pep Club and National Honor Society.

Margie received the Alec Pugh Memorial Scholarship for students that show perseverance and are also admired by their fellow classmates, while Izzie received the Richard Tagman Memorial Scholarship for having exceptional character and leadership abilities in athletics. Both also received additional scholarships from the Foundation based on their hard work throughout their time in high school.

We are cheering for you back home in Grays Harbor girls! Best of luck as you embark on these exciting next steps in life!

05/14/2026

Kingston Case, Hoquiam Class of 2026 Receives the Kathryn and George Wandel Memorial Scholarship from Grays Harbor Community Foundation

Graduating Hoquiam High School Senior Kingston Case, recently received a $4,000 award from the Kathryn and George Wandel Fund held at the Foundation.

Kathryn and George Wandel were born in Hoquiam and lived here all of their lives. Kathryn's father, Albert Callow, was a partner in several timber companies in Washington and Oregon. While a student at Hoquiam High School, Kathryn won a statewide Shakespeare contest and subsequently majored in drama at the University of Washington, where she was a member of Gamm Phi Beta Sorority.

George was an avid tennis player at Hoquiam High School and originally dreamed of becoming a sportswriter until his father convinced him that pharmacy would be a more practical choice. He obtained his pharmacy degree at Oregon State University, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity.

After college graduation George and Kathryn returned to Hoquiam and founded Harbor Drug Company. During all their years in Hoquiam, they remained vitally interested in young people and Hoquiam High School. Attending games and musicals and serving their community by being active in organizations like the YMCA and Girl Scouts. It is their daughter's wish that this scholarship in their honor is awarded to a student that exemplifies community and school spirit the way they did. Kingston Case is a perfect representation of Hoquiam pride both in school and in our community.

Kingston plans to attend Culver Stockton University in the fall to play football and study business. Throughout his time at Hoquiam High School, Kingston was a star athlete in football and wrestling all while graduating as one of the top scholars in his class.

He said of receiving this award, “Receiving this scholarship takes a huge weight off my shoulders and allows me to focus more on my education, athletics, and future goals. It motivates me to keep pushing myself and prove that all of my hard work and dedication are paying off.”

Congrats, Kingston! You make Hoquiam and your community proud!

05/13/2026

Grays Harbor Community Foundation Scholarship Recipient Success Story 2020 Montesano Graduate Abi Parkin, Thriving in Career as a Nurse

Often times when students are awarded a scholarship, we know a lot about them as they are about to embark on their college career, but don't always know where they end up after college. Lucky for us, we connected with Abi Parkin, Montesano High School Class of 2020 graduate recently to get an update on her life. Abi was awarded $7,500 over the course of her years in college, from the Foundation and we are happy to report this former Bulldog is making a big impact on the lives of so many both in our community, and beyond. Here is a recent update from Abi:

"The Grays Harbor Community Foundation scholarship allowed me to reach my goal of becoming a nurse and fulfill my purpose of helping patients. I am beyond appreciative and grateful for everything that the foundation did for me, as I would not be where I am without them. After high school, I attended Grand Canyon University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

I began my nursing career at Phoenix Children’s Hospital on the Kidney/Liver Transplant and Epilepsy Unit, where I cared for patients recovering from transplants and managed patients with seizure disorders. I later relocated back to the Pacific Northwest and finished out the school year as the Montesano Jr.-Sr. High School nurse. After the school year ended, I was offered a position at Seattle Children’s Hospital on a cardiac unit, caring for patients with heart transplants, heart conditions, and post-surgical recovery needs. I now work at an outpatient surgery center.

Nursing has been an incredibly rewarding career filled with purpose, and it’s a path I’ve only been able to pursue because of the opportunities the scholarship gave me. I’m very grateful for the support from the Grays Harbor Community Foundation and for the impact it has had on my life and career."

You are a star, Abi! Keep shining bright!

05/11/2026

Arianna Alavez Receives George Hitchings Memorial Scholarship and Weatherwax Prize Award from Grays Harbor Community Foundation

Arianna Alavez has big plans for her future. Graduating as one of four valedictorians from Aberdeen High School this year, she plans to attend Grays Harbor College and then pursue a four-year degree in Architecture.

Throughout her time at Aberdeen High School, Arianna was on the swim team and also worked as a lifeguard and coach at the YMCA. She said of her award, "This scholarship means the world to me, helping me achieve my goals one step at a time!"

Arianna's award is in honor of George Hithcings. Born in Hoquiam in 1905, George H. Hitchings grew up in a family of shipbuilders. Hitchings’ father, George, Sr., worked at and eventually managed the Hoquiam shipyard that his father-in-law, Peter Matthews, established in 1897. A master shipbuilder like his father before him, George, Sr., eventually became a noted marine architect. The family left Hoquiam when George was five years old, but those early connections were still traceable in 1990 when, as an esteemed scientist, he returned to Hoquiam for the Centennial celebration.

In 1988, Dr. Hitchings shared the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discoveries that led to the development of a series of new drugs, including drugs for leukemia, malaria, and gout.

The Weatherwax Prize is awarded to the Valedictorian(s) from Aberdeen High School each year Thanks to these two awards, Arianna received $4,000 to support her studies in the 2026-2027 school year.

Congrats, Arianna and we look forward to following your success!

05/05/2026

East County Legacy Gifts Make Big Impact on Local Students

Thanks to the generosity of two beloved long-term east county residents, students in Montesano and Elma received over $50,000 in scholarships this year.

Patricia Clemons, a 1944 graduate of Montesano High School, as well as a graduate of Grays Harbor College, was a treasured Montesano resident, being named Montesano’s Citizen of the Year and chosen as Grand Marshall for the Festival of Lights Parade in 2008. She was known as a dedicated volunteer and community leader always sought to give her knowledge and resources for the betterment of the community. She was a true community champion and someone who understood the value of not only giving your money, but also your time.

Clemons spent her 30-year education career with the Montesano School District, 20 years as a seventh-grade teacher and ten years as an elementary librarian. After her retirement in 1979, Clemons reportedly started a second career in historical preservation and was instrumental in the birth of Chehalis Valley Historical Society Museum (CVHSM), which was renamed in her honor, “The Patricia A. Clemons Chehalis Valley Historical Museum” in April 2021 shortly before she passed away the following month.

John Anderson, long-time resident of East Grays Harbor and employee at the Simpson door plant made sure to leave a lasting legacy for Elma students pursuing their academic goals.

Always hardworking even as a youth, John began two paper routes in McCleary, worked in the McCleary drugstore/soda fountain and then for the McCleary Post Office. As a teen, he began a career at Simpson Door Plant. He worked there until his retirement. John was known for his generosity, kindness to others and his love of storytelling. He had a huge, generous heart and helped many elderly and many in need. He was an active lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Elma Grange and was known to have a personal library of over 800 plus hard bound books alone.

Between their two estates, $50,000 was awarded to several Montesano and Elma graduates this year pursuing college and trade programs across the United States this year. Their legacy will continue to live on for many years to come through both Montesano and Elma graduates and it is our privilege to continue to be stewards of their philanthropic wishes to make an impact on the lives of our local students.

05/04/2026

Grays Harbor Community Foundation Vocational Scholarship Application Open Now!

Are you a student looking to go into the trades that missed our scholarship deadline? If so, get your application in now for our Vocational Scholarship Program! Applications open year-round for students that graduated from a Grays Harbor high school or are currently residing in Grays Harbor County. Apply today at https://www.gh-cf.org/scholarships/vocational-scholarship and contact Senior Program Officer, Jessica Hoover with questions at [email protected].

04/30/2026

Grays Harbor Community Foundation awards $512,100 in grants during 1st Cycle Community Building Grants

The Grays Harbor Community Foundation invests $512,100 into our community through the 2026 1st Cycle Community Building Grants program. Twenty-three organizations were awarded funding with projects ranging from youth sports, to healthcare needs for Grays Harbor residents.

Projects were awarded from the following funds held at the Grays Harbor Community Foundation; The Weatherwax Family Fund, Marian J. Weatherwax Fund, Dorothy Hoogeveen Fund and Warren Family Fund. We also partnered with The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound to award funding through the Jack and Neddie Farrington Fund to Westport South Beach Historical Society and Ocosta Booster Club.

The organizations that were funded through the 2026 First Cycle Community Building Grants program include:

City of Cosmopolis - Lions Park Playground Project
City of Hoquiam - Gable Park Upgrades
Driftwood Players - Arena and Balcony Carpet Replacement
Elma School District - Elma Track & Field Upgrades
Immanuel Baptist Church - Sonshine Park Upgrades
McCleary Historical Society - Bathroom Remodel
Montesano School District - Technology Upgrades
Morningside - Career Placement and Training
North Beach PAWS - Roof Repair
Pacific Education Institute - FieldSTEM
Summit Pacific Medical Foundation - Nuclear Medicine Acquisition
Montesano Booster Club - Scoreboard and Table Upgrades
YMCA of Grays Harbor- HVAC Replacement Project
Grays Harbor Sports Association - Hoquiam Health Trail
North Beach School District - CTE Machines
Pacific Northwest Music Project - Museum Floor Repairs
7th Street Kids - Access to Arts
Grays Harbor College Foundation - Gym Floor Upgrades
Grays Harbor Community Hospital - Infant Withdrawal Program
Harbor Youth Socceer Club - Program Supplies
Saron Lutheran Church- Boots for Bears
Ocosta Booster Club - High School Track Project
Westport South Beach Historical Society - Educational Programming

Senior Program Officer, Jessica Hoover commented:: “In 2026, the Foundation anticipates we will invest over $4 Million into our community through our grants and scholarship program. We are seeing a large rise in donors recently that are interested in getting involved with the Foundation to give back to Grays Harbor and all the organizations doing incredible work on a daily basis for our residents."

Our next grant cycle is our 2nd Quarter Impact Grants with a deadline of June 1st at 5PM. Visit our website at www.gh-cf.org or contact Senior Program Officer, Jessica Hoover, with questions at [email protected].

04/22/2026

Yesterday was a big day for many students in Grays Harbor as they received award emails! We look forward to cheering on all your next steps!

04/21/2026

Exciting day at the Foundation; check your email inboxes!

Address

707 J Street
Hoquiam, WA
98550

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13605321600

Website

http://www.gh-cf.org/

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