Women's Guild launches new scholarship program

By Dana Kampa
| 11:45 a.m. February 3, 2025

Susan Gilmore-Clarke catches up with fellow Women's Guild members.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

The Women's Guild is hitting the ground running this year, welcoming 25 new members at its newcomers event on Jan. 30 and making plans to give back to students, among other activities.

President Kay Kochenderfer was proud to announce the group is starting the St. Mary Star of the Sea Women's Guild Scholarship Fund, an ongoing project she hopes will benefit young community members for years to come.

"It's designed to be a legacy endowment for the guild," she said. "We have something that we've created that will go on to future generations."

The scholarship is intended for students attending a Catholic school within the diocese. But other than that requirement, Kochenderfer said they wanted to leave the criteria fairly wide open to students of various fields and ages.

"We intentionally wanted to give as flexibility as possible so it will go to people who actually need it the most," she said.

Mary Del Pup, Kay Kochenderfer and Lyn Kennelly

The guild plans to distribute the scholarships on an annual basis, contributing an initial $10,000. She said an anonymous donor also plans to match up to $5,000 for funds donated before the end of May. Checks can be made to the name of the scholarship fund and either put in the offertory basket at regular mass or brought to the parish office. Questions can be directed to kkochenderfer@mac.com or 626-862-1540.

Art show upcoming

Attendees also made plans for the upcoming "Art for the Heart" showcase, where members may enjoy the art of guild church members—and potentially take some home through the raffle.

New this year, the showcase takes place 1 p.m. Feb. 11 at Father Edward Pick Parish Hall.

Father Michael Guarino shares memories of his mother's participation in the Women's Guild.

Art Avenue Sarasota President Paul Sykes is scheduled to speak, providing insight into artist Frank Hopper and the mural he painted for the church.

RSVP to Linda Olsen by email at pistol57@gmail.com or text 941-544-6938 by Feb. 5.

Kochenderfer said plenty more is to come from the guild, including a service day, fashion show and rummage sale.

She said she was delighted to see so many people turn out for the meeting.

"Every year, we keep getting more and more people," she said. "There's a real fellowship that develops."

The full calendar of events is available at StMaryLBK.org/Womens-Guild.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.