By Mary O’KEEFE

Kobessi Property is hosting a very special fundraiser on Saturday for local high school students. The fundraiser will benefit the Community Scholarship Foundation, a 50-year-old organization that helps students in need from public and private high schools including La Cañada and Crescenta Valley high schools.

Sandy Kobessi got involved in the organization last year when friend and CSF president Joel Peterson invited her to look at the organization and see what they do for students.

“I liked it. It was a smaller organization but dedicated in what they do,” she said. “Their [effect] is far reaching, and every penny goes toward the foundation.”

She felt a real connection to CSF and decided to join the board. She is one of the First VPs of Fundraisers.

CSF had held fundraisers in the past but Kobessi wanted it to go bigger, so last December the organization presented a charity concert featuring The Texas Tenors.

“That was the first thing I [was involved with],” she said.

On Saturday she and her husband are hosting a fundraising gala and poker tournament – Monte Carlo Under the Stars – that she hopes will further fill the CSF coffers.

CSF scholarships are given to kids in need and applications are available at school offices as well as on the CSF website. It is difficult for some students to raise the money for college, even those who live in affluent areas like La Cañada.

“People will say, ‘[Kids] in La Cañada? They don’t need help’ but they do,” Kobessi said.

Financial challenges can arise from divorce, illness, job loss and other issues just like in any other community, she added.

In the last 50 years the CSF has raised over $1 million for scholarships. Kobessi is working to maintain that strong tradition of funding and helping students.

Anyone who would like to buy a ticket to the event can do so at Kobessi Property, 711 Foothill Blvd. or online at www.albrooks.com. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 and $100 per person.

  Mary Okeefe