Hard to believe that the end of another school year is rapidly approaching. Though my youngest graduated from Crescenta Valley High School just a year ago, I still know kids who are preparing for prom and graduation, then moving on to college.

And while they are eagerly anticipating beginning a new life, their parents are probably not so eagerly anticipating the bills that college brings. I know many kids who have submitted numerous applications for financial aid, grants, scholarships and other support. With times as tough as they are today, these outside funding sources are especially welcome.

Which brings me to our local organizations that diligently raise money throughout the year specifically to fund scholarships that are available to Clark Magnet and Crescenta Valley high school graduating students.

The La Crescenta Woman’s Club, CV Town Council, Glendale Latino Assn. and CV Chamber of Commerce are just some of those organizations that raise scholarship money throughout the year. In fact today, Thursday, the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual golf tournament fundraiser. The CV Weekly is a proud sponsor of the tournament, as are other businesses that want to support their efforts in supporting our kids. And if you can’t make it to the golf tournament, donations for the scholarship fund are accepted year round.

Another (tasty) way to support CVHS seniors is coming up this Sunday.

The annual Taste of Montrose, sponsored by Prom Plus, is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Honolulu Avenue in conjunction with Wags n’ Whiskers and Kids n’ Kritters and the weekly Harvest Marketplace. More than 20 restaurants are part of this year’s “tasting event” offering every type of food from Italian to American, Mexican to Mediterranean. Barbecue, bakery and even desserts will be available to sample from eateries such as Berolina Bakery, Rocky Cola Café and Zeke’s – all for just $20 per person. What a deal! And believe me when I say that no one will leave hungry!

We are fortunate that so many of our local restaurants are willing to participate in this event which is a major fundraiser for Prom Plus. Prom Plus, for those unfamiliar, is the post prom event held for CVHS seniors and their guests at the Crescenta-Cañada Y. It was started after a CV senior was murdered as she slept at an unsupervised post prom hotel party back in 1991. The community came together to create a fun, yet safe, place for our seniors to go after the prom.

Prom Plus is a parent-driven organization and is always looking for help, either in raising money to off-set the $25,000 event price tag, or working the event itself. To learn more, stop by the Prom Plus information booth in the 2200 block of Honolulu Avenue on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. where you can also purchase tickets for the Taste of Montrose.

An ongoing fundraiser for Prom Plus – and just in time for Mothers’ Day – are car wash vouchers for Lexus in Glendale. These are only $15 and will also be on sale at the Prom Plus booth on Sunday. As a bonus, folks who redeem their vouchers before May 13 will be given a free gift card from Massage Envy for a 20 minute massage at their Brand location.

What a wonderful partnership between our local organizations that help fund the education of our college-bound students and the community that is so eager to attend their fundraising events. This partnership is a reflection of the commitment we share and I’m proud to be a part of it.

I’ll be on Honolulu on Sunday and hope to see you there, too.

  robin goldsworthy