A group of young professionals, including several former high school athletes, will hold a fundraiser Jan. 28 to support the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association's SOS (Save Our Sports) campaign.

The fundraiser, sponsored by the fledgling "Hawai'i Professionals Foundation," is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Bonsai Restaurant and Lounge at Restaurant Row. Admission will be $20 per person, and the event will include food, a raffle and silent auction.

Proceeds will go toward the SOS Fund, which is designed to help Hawai'i's 45 public school athletic departments offset state budget cuts that left them operating with less than 64 percent of their allocations for 2008-2009.

According to a Jan. 28 event flyer, "The Honolulu Professionals Foundation is a fun group of growing professionals dedicated to building a lasting positive legacy in the community through strategic partnerships and giving."

One of its founders is former Punahou baseball player Reid Matsushima, who is helping organize the event along with former Kamehameha and University of Hawai'i baseball player Shane Chan.

Contributions from the past week have brought the fund's running total to $1,428,832 since the effort began July 23. That includes $4,195 from an online auction held last fall at www.Saveoursportshawaii.com and $800 from 808 Sports Leagues flag football champion "Team Bluesers."

The funds will be distributed later based on a formula that accounts for the size of each program and student participation.

To contribute to the SOS Fund, make a check payable to "HHSAA SOS Account" and send it to HHSAA, P.O. Box 62029, Honolulu, HI 96839, or visit www.sportshigh.com

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com