Heffernan Foundation Announces 2016 Garee Lee Smith Scholarship Recipients

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Heffernan Foundation, the charitable giving program for Heffernan Insurance Brokers, announced today its 2016 Garee Lee Smith scholarship recipients. The scholarship provides employees or family members of employees with $5,000 to assist with the cost of education.

This is the 11^th year of the program, with Heffernan Foundation selecting eight students to each receive the scholarship. It honors the late Garee Lee Smith, a longtime Heffernan employee who embodied the culture and spirit of Heffernan and loved to help fellow employees and her community whenever possible. Applicants are chosen for their grades, commitment to their community, and future personal and academic goals.

"It is an honor to be part of this event each year," said Michelle Lonaker, Director of the Heffernan Foundation. "Hearing the goals these young adults have of working in their communities and seeing their ambition shine through gives me faith in our young generation. Garee would be proud of all our recipients over the years."

A dinner was held on August 4, 2016 to honor the students, their achievements, and Smith's legacy. The 2016 Garee Lee Smith scholarship recipients are Anna Harryman, Ashley Johnson, Brian Haggard, Christia Forest, Cynthia Ruiz, Dakota Stoll, Vanessa Bondoc and Victoria Ketchum.

A video highlighting the Heffernan Foundation's mission can be found at https://youtu.be/L9XoDDrkC0w.

About Heffernan Foundation
Heffernan Foundation's mission is to serve nonprofits that provide direct support and services to local communities in the areas of shelter, food, education and the preservation of the environment. 

Heffernan Foundation is the charitable giving program of Heffernan Insurance Brokers, headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., and with offices in San Francisco, Petaluma, Menlo Park, Los Angeles and Orange County, CA; Portland, OR; and St. Louis, MO. Employee-owned, the company has been among the Top Greater Bay Area Philanthropists since 2003, donating more than 13 percent of profits to charity in 2015.

For more information, visit www.heffernanfoundation.com or call 925.295.2575. License #0564249

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SOURCE Heffernan Foundation