San Mateo Senior Community Celebrates 25 Years Of Scholarships

SAN MATEO, CA — Residents of a San Mateo senior community celebrated 25 years of scholarship grants to dependents of their staff.

Since 1996, members of The Peninsula Regent have donated nearly $450,000 in scholarships for 120 people, according to a news release. The scholarships are usually worth between $1,500 and $10,000. They are available to both full-time and part-time students.

Residents raised almost $32,000 in scholarships this year.

“Committee volunteers direct the giving decisions for the Education Grants, vetting all of the scholarship applications and determining the awards available for each student,” said Peninsula Regent Executive Director Marianne Nannestad. “They’re also responsible for every dollar raised. Their generosity and kindness is truly inspiring and deeply appreciated by our hard-working Associates.”

The son of Patricia Hernandez, the Regent’s lead housekeeper, called the scholarship that he received “life-changing.”

“As a first-generation college student, there are many things that are new and stressful but not having to worry about my finances is a big burden off the shoulders of my family,” Andres Esparza said.