Programs
MEMORIAL FUND
Donations to the Club Las Amigas Memorial Fund may be made on behalf of a departed member, university or middle school sponsor, or other supporter of the San Felipe community through Club activities. All donations go directly to the University Scholarship Fund to sponsor university attendance by local high school students who could not otherwise afford college. The fund was established in 2007 in memory of Shirley Swanson, a vibrant and dedicated member of Club Las Amigas for many years.
When making tax deductible donations, designate the Club Las Amigas Memorial Fund and the person remembered in this special way. Your gift will be acknowledged and a card will be sent to the family of the deceased friend of the children of San Felipe.
Please send donations to: Club President
Club Las Amigas (Note: New Address)
PMB #45
P.O. BOX 9011
CALEXICO, CA 92232
School Committee
Las Amigas members work with the schools directly and determine their needs. Then they go to work locating school supply donations, audio and visual equipment, gym supplies, playground equipment, desks, chairs, as well as the usual supplies students need in school. These include items such as pencils, paper, art supplies, scissors, rulers, erasers, backpacks, etc. Sometimes a school may be in need of an air conditioner, computers, office equipment. Sometimes we have replaced windows in classrooms. Amigas have even rounded up workers to put on new roofs on school buildings or helped with various repairs around the schools.
Middle School Scholarships
We currently support over 270 students through our Secundaria (Middle School) Committee. This is accomplished through finding private sponsors for these students. Cost to a sponsor is $100.00 per year per student, and we ask for a 3 year commitment. Many of these students could not attend school without our financial help. They must pay for uniforms, tuition, gym uniforms, winter and summer uniforms, etc. Many families just can't afford it all. In some cases, our $100.00 also helps with bus or lunch tickets, depending on the needs of the students. We choose students in need of the financial help that are willing to work at keeping an average or above average grade point and truly want to continue their education.
University Scholarships
Through the many fundraisers that Las Amigas members do throughout the year, funds that are generated are divided in various categories and a large amount is set aside to provide 5-year scholarships of $100 per month to graduating high school students. Our hope is always to provide at least five scholarships per year. Through a committee evaluation of applicants, students are selected who are high academic achievers but whose family finances would prevent them from going to college. The money is set aside in a trust and guarantees a five year scholarship to each student selected.
To date, 35 students have completed degrees in various fields and there are 34 students currently enrolled in universities. Seven of these students are sponsored by direct sponsors that have a particular student they wish to see through the university. The remainder are students selected by the evaluation committee.
Food Bank Committee:
From time to time, people experience difficult financial times. When there are children in the family, it can be difficult to provide adequate nourishment in the midst of hardship. Children can not learn when they are hungry, thus we sponsor a Food Bank that provides approximately 75 families per month with basic staples such as beans, rice, flour, sugar, oil, etc. Donations are always appreciated. Families being helped change monthly depending on need.
Annual Santa Runs:
Each year Club Las Amigas has done Santa Runs to various areas of San Felipe. Currently there are two types of Santa Runs. The first is small toys, candy and fruit packages given to hundreds of children in the Kinders (pre-school & Kindergarten). This is done in early December. The second is a run done the Sunday prior to Christmas. We use larger toys, and remaining candy and small toys which are taken to several neighborhoods inside and outside San Felipe. Many of these children may not receive any other gift for Christmas. It is truly a rewarding experience to attend the Santa Runs and see the happy smiles and outstretched arms of the children.