Friends of the late Southern Oregon student, Alex Howell, are continuing their campaign to establish a scholarship in his name. On Sunday, Sammich adjusted their hours to hold a fundraiser which donated all of its proceeds to the GoFundMe account set up to achieve their goal. If the account can reach $25,000 then the scholarship will be endowed by the school and self-sustain for years to come.
One student each year will be awarded the scholarship by meeting the criteria that was established to model Howell’s involvement and character. In order to be considered, applicants must be either wrestlers at SOU and or in the ROTC program, both groups that Howell was part of. Also, they must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be considered heavily involved in the community.
Donnie Coulson, one of the friends in charge of setting up the account, who also works at Sammich, said that they came up with the idea shortly after Alex passed away. Together the friends decided that it would help Alex’s name live on at SOU and contribute towards a student in need.
Friends began trickling in at 4, when the event began, but it wasn’t until around 5 that the ball got rolling and the house was packed. Even the on and off downpour didn’t detour diners as the outside seating was covered, but still cold. “The rain was our only worry. That people might not come,” said Coulson, “but prepping for the rain doesn’t matter…nothing’s gonna stop us from doing something like this.”
Funds from the event will be added to the growing account, but Coulson says that they will continue to put on other types of fundraisers until their goal is reached and the scholarship is endowed.
