The scholarship serves as a living memorial to Garee Lee Smith, an early employee whose dedication to community service remains the cornerstone of the company’s philanthropic efforts. A volunteer committee evaluated a competitive pool of applicants, choosing winners based on their academic ambition and commitment to service. Executive Director Michelle Lonaker-Lavine noted that the quality of candidates continues to increase, reflecting the values Smith championed during her tenure.

The 2026 cohort includes Izabell Mosley, Brandi Waschau, Amanda Dougherty, Luisa Sauceda, Natalie Flores, Sianny Guzman, Alexander Giles, Addison Lynch, Isabela Lopez, and Gabriella Volpatti. Since its inception 21 years ago, the fund has provided $985,000 in support to relatives of the Heffernan workforce, reinforcing the firm's standing as a top philanthropist in the Greater Bay Area.