July 10, 2024

Heron's Key

In the last seven years, residents at Heron's Key, a continuing care retirement community in Gig Harbor, have raised $97,500 in scholarships for Gig Harbor graduating high school seniors. The Heron's Key Scholarship Group started in 2018 to support the next generation of higher education students by providing funds to help them complete a four-year program, 2-year program, or attend trade school. Every year since the group's inception, they have been able to award a greater number of scholarships at a higher value. In the first year, a small group of residents provided eight scholarships at $375. This year, 69 resident households awarded 14 scholarships at $2,000 each. They are also providing one student with her fourth scholarship through the Heron's Key Scholarship Group as she nears the completion of her program. Heron's Key residents work with Gig Harbor High School, Peninsula High School and Henderson Bay High School to select students most deserving of the scholarships. In order to be considered, students must submit a portfolio that includes their academic record, extracurricular activities, work experience, community service, and financial need. For the second year, residents in the Scholarship Group have also awarded scholarships to high school students who are employed by Heron's Key. Heron's Key, sponsored by Emerald Communities, is a Washington state-based, not-for-profit senior housing and service organization.