COLLECTING ALL TYPES AND SIZES OF ATHLETIC FOOTWARE 4/17/26  2:00-5:00 PM

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A place where women come together to work toward a better community for all.

For over 100 years, we have helped a wide array of local causes and have had a robust scholarship program since 1939. Our philanthropies positively impact the areas they serve. Not all support given is via donations, as every member is encouraged to give their time and skills as well. Members may help with registration for an event, offer time teaching classes to emancipated foster youth or chairing an event. We help where we are needed. Each of our philanthropies has an Alamo Women’s Club member liaison to foster our relationship.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

We have amazing young people in our community who work hard to make their dreams a reality but many have financial hardships and life challenges. Our scholarships are need-based and go to Contra Costa residents who are graduating high school seniors, single parents returning to community college, or young adults emancipated from foster care. A Scholarship Committee thoroughly reviews each applicant and spearheads the Scholarship Awards Luncheon. Our scholarships are significant and give a boost of confidence, as well as financial help, to these young students. Over the last 10 years, $320,000 was raised for scholarships and benefitted over 60 deserving students! .

 The Alamo Women's Club Hearts of Gold Scholarship Program was established in 1939 and is made possible through annual fundraising efforts by club members, jewelry sales and community donations.

The program's focus is to award needs-based scholarships to students currently attending community college, emancipated foster students, Youth Homes students, and specific public high school graduating seniors.  Scholarships of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to the applicants who demonstrate that they are committed to attending college or vocational school and are greatly in need of financial assistance to pay their expenses.

The Scholarship Committee contacts select local community colleges, high schools, and organizations in the fall of each year.   Our current targeted schools and organizations include: Contra Costa Community College; Diablo Valley Community College; Los Medanos Community College; High schools of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District--graduating seniors; High schools of the Pittsburg School District---graduating seniors; Emancipated Foster Students living in Contra Costa County, Youth Homes students. For further information and questions, please send an email to: [email protected].

To apply for one of these generous scholarships, please download and complete the following four documents and email with your application by FEBRUARY 18, 2026 to [email protected]:

  - Scholarship Award Mission Statement and Criteria

  - Application

 - Letter of Recommendation Instructions 

 - Photo Release

 

COMMUNITY

We partner with other local groups in donations and service time extending our reach outward in our community. An AWC member is dedicated to Community Outreach to oversee these special projects. We are founding donors to the Lesher Center for the Arts, Tao House and Alamo's Boulevard of Trees. Our help recently has gone to: the Red Cross, Lion's Club, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Monument Crisis Center and the Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley.

 

CANINE COMPANION

A non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs, as well as ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships with four types of canine assistance:

  • Service Dogs assist adults with disabilities by performing daily tasks like picking up dropped items and opening doors.
  • Hearing Dogs alert the deaf and hard of hearing to important sounds.
  • Facility Dogs work with professionals in a visitation, education or healthcare setting.
  • Finally, skilled Companion Dogs enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities.
  • All of this is provided to the recipient at no cost for the life of the dog.

Canine Companion Volunteer opportunities:

  • Attend graduation, an awe inspiring ceremony when dogs and their people are presented upon completion of training.
  • Volunteer with registration during various fund raising events, such as the DogFest Dog Walk.
  • Walk the local fundraiser.
  • Volunteer as a puppy raiser.

 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

    Partnerships with other local civic organizations to provide one day opportunities that contribute to our communities.

  • A day at the Food Bank in Concord to sort and pack food for distributions to the underserved.
  • One Warm Coat collection with local Rotary clubs held at the Alamo Women's Clubhouse.
  • American Red Cross Blood Drive at AWC to provide life-saving blood for those in need.
  • In conjunction with the Lion’s Club, sort eye glasses at AWC Clubhouse for distribution in other countries.

 

CHILDREN, FAMILY, HEALTH

 

FRIDAY NIGHT OUT

Creating a community for people with special needs, Friday Night Out is a monthly gathering of high school students & young adults with special needs. It is a safe place where inclusion and acceptance prevail and where young people can socialize and build lifelong relationships.   https://fridaynightout.net/

 

YOUTH HOMES

Volunteer opportunities:

  • Volunteer at Thrift store.
  • Teach life-skill classes such as cooking, budgeting, scholarship application, workplace etiquette, establishing credit.
  • Contribute through monetary or household donations to assist Youth Homes aged-out students in furnishing their first apartment, etc.

https://youthhomes.org/

 

GEORGE MARK CHILDREN'S HOUSE

This is a private home-like facility in San Leandro providing care for children with life threatening illnesses. Their families also receive support through respite care, as well as grief and bereavement counseling. The aim is to relieve suffering by providing comfort to the children and support services to the family. This essentially is giving the valuable gift of time to families - time for kids to be just kids and parents to be "Mom" and "Dad" instead of round the clock caregivers.

George Mark Volunteer opportunities:

  • Purchase and deliver Easter baskets and items for the children.
  • Be a volunteer for their annual Pumpkin Day, help with pumpkin decorating activities.
  • Make blankets and knitted hats for the children and their families.
  • Donate in-kind items to the organization.

 

 

 

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