‘Uncorking Opportunity’ provides scholarships for local college students

Coos County residents can help young people pursue their education while also enjoying food and wine pairings during an ‘Uncorking Opportunity’ on Friday, Feb. 23.

The ‘Uncorking Opportunity’ is an annual fundraising event put on by the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation in collaboration with the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute.

Those who attend the event will be treated to a selection of hors d’oeuvres specially paired with Oregon wines provided by well-known wineries from the Rogue, Umpqua and Willamette Valleys.

Thanks to sponsor support, one hundred percent of ticket proceeds will go to scholarships for students pursuing degrees and training at Southwestern’s Coos and Curry campuses and the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute.

“A lot of different people and businesses pitch in to make this happen,” said Brennen Javorsky, foundation developer at the Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation.

Javorsky said the ‘Uncorking Opportunity’ is a great way to socialize with new and old friends while supporting a good cause.

“I hope it will be a fun evening for everyone. But most of all, I hope everyone knows that by participating in the event, they are making a difference,” he said.

In addition to the food and wine pairings, the fundraiser will also feature both a silent and live auction.

Some of the auction adventure items include: tickets to an exclusive winemaker’ dinner, a private OCCI group cooking class, a hot air balloon ride for two, a one-week stay in Hawaii, as well as a ‘Name Your Own’ scholarship.

The ‘Uncorking’ event will take place on Friday, Feb. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (1988 Newmark Ave., Coos Bay).

Tickets are $95 per person. Space is limited and reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To purchase tickets, go to www.socc.edu/give.

Those who cannot attend the event, but still want to donate to local scholarships, can do so on the website. There will also be another chance to raise scholarship funds through an upscale winemaker’s dinner on May 4.

For more information, contact the Southwestern Foundation at 541-888-7209 or email foundation@socc.edu.