A ceremony was held May 8, 2025 at the Curry Public Library Meeting Hall in Gold Beach to announce the 2025 scholarship awards and recognize this year’s recipients. The Gold Beach Youth Fund awarded more than $110,000 in scholarships through the Freeman and Carlson Endowments. Pictured above, front row from left to right: Ben Moon, Logan Sanchez, Kacen Wardle, Finley Lacey, and Jayden Kay. Back row, left to right: GBYF President Scott McNair, Samantha Stender, Marissa Somers, Kyler Middleton, Maize Martinez, Hannah Heritage, Charis Harshman, and Abigail Davis. All recipients are graduating seniors from Gold Beach High School and plan to pursue further education across a variety of fields.
Gold Beach Youth Fund Announces over $110,000 in New Scholarships for Central Curry County Students
The Gold Beach Youth Fund (GBYF) has proudly reaffirmed its mission to provide resources to enhance the educational and extracurricular experience of Central Curry County youth through the announcement of more than $110,000 in new scholarship awards for 2025 Gold Beach High School Seniors. This year’s recipients include: Abigail Davis ($5,000), Charis Harshman ($20,000), Hannah Heritage ($5,000), Jayden Kay ($5,000), Skyler Krohn ($2,500), Finley Lacey ($5,000), Maizie Martinez ($5,000), Kyler Middleton ($5,000), Ben Moon ($5,000), Logan Sanchez ($10,000), Marissa Somers ($20,000), Samantha Stender ($5,000), and Kacen Wardle ($20,000).
These scholarships—ranging in duration from one to four years—were made possible by the generous support of the Arvie “Dugie” Freeman Endowment and the Harry and Marsha Carlson Endowment, as well as Bob and Carol Dark, and Tim Tuttle and his late wife Jeri. Freeman and Carlson dedicated their endowments to support vocational/trades and post-secondary education, while each also extended their legacy to support GBHS athletics and matching grants to areas of greatest need. Both endowments were established with the explicit intent that the funds remain locally controlled and benefit youth in Central Curry County.
Scott McNair, President of the Gold Beach Youth Fund, expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the organization. “We are honored to be entrusted with carrying out the wishes of such generous benefactors,” he said. “GBYF focuses on three main areas: supporting education, acting as a booster for youth athletics, and applying resources toward the area of greatest need for youth in Central Curry County.”
McNair also emphasized the importance of endowment giving: “Many people have a desire to create a lasting legacy for future generations. That’s exactly what the Freeman and Carlson Endowments represent. While we prioritize the area of greatest need, we welcome and encourage community members to establish endowments with specific purposes aligned with our mission. We are here to help ensure those wishes are realized—locally and effectively.”
Founded in 2015, the Gold Beach Youth Fund is a 501(c)(3) public benefit nonprofit organization committed to supporting youth development in Central Curry County. Since its inception, GBYF has facilitated the disbursement of over $450,000 to benefit local youth. In addition to managing donor-directed gifts, GBYF coordinates community-based fundraising efforts and contributions.
McNair shared the story of one local couple who recently established a tax-deductible Charitable Gift Fund (CGF) and have chosen to direct disbursements to GBYF’s “Area of Greatest Need.” “By donating highly appreciated equities into a CGF account tax-free, they’ve created a sustainable and strategic way to support local youth—while receiving significant tax benefits,” McNair noted. “We are honored to be the recipients of their trust and generosity.”
The Gold Beach Youth Fund is deeply grateful to the Southwest Oregon Children’s Foundation (SWOCF)—founded by Tim and Jeri Tuttle in 2018 and dissolved in 2023—for entrusting us to carry their legacy forward. In just six years, SWOCF awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to Curry County youth and contributed over $500,000 to vital community programs and services, including Career Technical Education, Curry Health Network, 4-H, Curry Public Library, and other impactful local initiatives. When age and health concerns led the Tuttles to close SWOCF at the end of 2023, they ensured that every remaining asset stayed rooted in the community. Among the final recipients were the Gold Beach Youth Fund and Wally’s House, the Gold Beach-based child advocacy center.
Wally’s House received a final transformative gift of more than $550,000 from SWOCF, continuing a history of generosity that Executive Director Jackie Antunes describes as “foundational.” Altogether, the Tuttles’ support for Wally’s House has totaled more than $750,000—an extraordinary commitment that has helped propel the organization’s mission forward. “The generosity of the Tuttles and so many in our community has been the driver, a tremendous boost, and instrumental in moving the new Children’s Wellness Center toward fruition,” Antunes shared. Construction of the Center, which began in 2022, is set to be completed by early fall 2025.
The Gold Beach Youth Fund offers a unique and lasting way to invest in the next generation. By including GBYF in your estate planning or making a charitable contribution today, you ensure that your values live on, directly supporting local youth through programs and opportunities.
GBYF is rooted in the community it serves. Contributions remain under local control and are guided by a board that understands the unique challenges and dreams of students in Central Curry County.
For more information about the Gold Beach Youth Fund or to learn how to support its mission, visit www.goldbeachyouthfund.org, email goldbeachyouthfund@outlook.com, or call GBYF representative Andy Wright 541-373-3296 to discuss opportunities. According to Wright, “A gift to the Gold Beach Youth Fund’s endowment investment accounts, is not just making a donation—it is planting seeds for generations of youth in Central Curry County.” McNair added, “The needs of students and young people won’t disappear tomorrow, but with our community’s support today, we can build lasting legacies of opportunity for years to come. Together we can. #WEAREGOLDBEACH!”