Cardenas Clan Plans Fund-Raiser Today

State Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar) and his extended family will hold a breakfast this morning to raise funds for a new foundation named for his father that will provide scholarships for needy area students.

The breakfast at Mission College is a fund-raising campaign kickoff for the Andres Cardenas Family Foundation.

Andres Cardenas, who died in July 1993, moved from his native state of Jalisco, Mexico, to the San Fernando Valley 45 years ago. He found work as a laborer and eventually became the owner of a small business in Pacoima. Cardenas and his wife, Maria, raised 11 children, all of whom earned college degrees in various fields.

“Starting a foundation in my father’s memory was something we’ve thought about for several years,” said Assemblyman Cardenas.

Cruz M. Bustamante (D-Fresno), speaker of the California Assembly and the first Latino to be elected to the position, will be a guest speaker at the breakfast.

Among the expected 500 guests will be Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon and San Fernando Mayor Raul Godinez.

Tony Cardenas, the youngest member of the Cardenas family, said there has been a big response from friends, relatives and residents of northeast Valley communities since the announcement of the foundation earlier this year.

Plans for the foundation include sponsoring educational, cultural and recreational programs in the Valley as well as providing college scholarships for local students.

This morning’s breakfast, which is open to the public, will begin at 8 a.m. at Mission College, 13356 Eldridge St.

Admission is $15 general, $5 for students. For more information, contact the Cardenas Foundation at (818) 833-9847.