Help Neptunian Woman's Club Fund Scholarships For Mira Costa Kids

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The Neptunian Woman's Club in Manhattan Beach is busy raising money they will use to award scholarships to deserving students in the community. Right now through Friday, Feb. 5, all donations will go toward their annual scholarships and donations are tax deductible.

The program in play right now through Friday, Feb. 5 is called "For the Love of Learning: A Scholarship Fundraiser" and when you donate online [$10 provides you with one Heart; $20 gets you two], you can dedicate the Valentine's Heart purchased to someone you love or someone who inspired a love of learning in you. Those wishing just to donate, may also do so by check and mail it to the organization, instead of using the online mechanism. Scholarships will be awarded to students from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach and El Camino College, the local junior college.

Last year, the Neptunians awarded $9,500 in scholarships, said Kathie Nichols, vice president of philanthropy for the Neptunians. They provided 11 scholarships for Mira Costa students, all in the amount of $4,000. In previous years, the Neptunians have awarded scholarships for $2,000 and $3,000, she said.

"Neptunian scholarship awards are determined by a scholarship committee that reads the scholarship notebooks the students provide to the MCHS College and Career Center in the spring," she explained. "In addition to transcripts, school participation, community service and leadership experience information, the student writes a 500-word essay to a prompt asking what receiving a scholarship from Neptunians would mean to them.

"In addition to academic scholarships, our organization awards two scholarships based upon achievements in art and in music or dance in high school with an intention to continue pursuing or studying art or music in college. All students must meet financial need criteria."

El Camino College scholarships were give to students in various fields such as Nursing, STEM, and Business.

Nichols said that this year’s scholarship awards and numbers have not yet been determined since the organization is still fundraising for the scholarships.

"Our 2020-2021 scholarship fundraisers have included the Halloween Pet photo contest, the Love of Learning drive going on now and a planned walk with scholars in the spring. We are also having a Neptunian mask sale and plan a wine tasting opportunity to raise funds. Needless to say, we welcome all donations from the community to help in this endeavor."

Checks can be made out to "Neptunian Woman's Club" and mailed to the following address:

Neptunian Woman’s Club
PO Box 3291
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

If you have questions, please email them to neptunianwomansclubmb@gmail.com.