In an effort to roust area volunteers, SOLV, a nonprofit organization that gives small grants, technical assistance and supplies to communities will hold meetings in Coos Bay and Coquille next week. The meetings are designed to create brainstorming sessions where ideas will be shared about community improvement projects.

"Community volunteer projects represent what's best about Oregon - people from diverse backgrounds uniting around a common purpose," said Alec Fishburne, outreach coordinator for SOLV. "When you connect the dedication and big ideas of Oregonians with the right tools, the results are extraordinary."

According to Patty Terzian, Project Oregon program coordinator for SOLV, the meetings are designed primarily to get community members talking about what can be done to improve their area.

"This isn't just a meeting for SOLV. We want to get a discussion going," Terzian said.

Specific projects have included illegal dump site cleanup, downtown beautification, recycling programs and wildlife habitat enhancement, Terzian said.

The organization, founded in 1969 by then-Gov. Tom McCall, is best known for its biannual beach cleanup, which last spring resulted in 4,800 volunteers clearing 40 tons of trash from Oregon shorelines.

The Coos Bay meeting will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, at The Mill Casino-Hotel on U.S. Highway 101. The Coquille meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 at the Sawdust Theatre, 114 N. Adams St.

For more information, those interested can call (800) 333-SOLV or go on the Web to http://www.SOLV.org.