Families, children and health programs are getting a financial boost this month thanks to the Coos Bay Area Zonta Service Foundation.

Zonta is handing out $9,500 in grant awards to nonprofits in support of programs that make a positive change in the lives of women and children, a press release said.

Organizations receiving funds include the Women’s Safety and Resource Center, Coos County 4-H Leaders Association, Coos County Friends of Public Health, Waterfall Clinic, Bay Area First Step Inc., Bob Belloni Ranch Inc. and the Children’s Advocacy Center.

The funds awarded this year are a result of the club’s Celebrity Dinner and Auction held in February. During 2008, the foundation awarded more than $45,000 to local causes, such as the Little Red Schoolhouse program, academic scholarship awards to local women and several other projects focusing on health, education and domestic violence.

Watershed group honors essay winners

Coos Soil and Water Conservation District is handing out money to the winners of its Guerin Memorial essay contest, a press release said.

The district received 121 essays, with entries from North Bend Middle School, North Bend High School, Bandon Middle School and Myrtle Point High School. All winners received their certificates and cash prizes at the district’s Dec. 5 meeting. They were presented by Eric Himmelreich, watershed technical specialist and office manager.

First place of a $100 cash prize went to 14-year-old Laurel Avery, who is home-schooled in Bandon. Her essay “Small Steps Toward a Sensible Solution.”

Second place of a $75 cash prize went to Chase Allen Berry from Myrtle Point for his essay “Endangered Species Act and Habitat Conservation.”

Third place of a $50 cash prize went to Skyler Waterman-Woody from Myrtle Point for his essay “Water.”