They are all three married but sisters Kirby McCool, Lindsay Holstead and Courtney Hopson are still affectionately referred to as "the Cohn girls," a tribute to their loving family ties and generations of community leadership. This mighty trio joined forces Thursday night to shed their magic touch on Communities in Schools with the annual dinner held in honor of their much-beloved late mother, Bobby Sue Cohn.

With their proud father Morton Cohn looking on in the ballroom of the Hilton Post Oak, the women helped raise more than $550,000 for CIS's programs to serve the city's student population. CIS is able to boast that 99 percent of it students go on to graduating, one of the non-profit's primary goals.

As is tradition with the CIS benefit evening, the program was packed with songs from the Houston Children's Choir and testimonials from CIS students, teachers and former CIS students who are successful today as well as honoree presentations.

The eveing saluted Martahon Oil with the Corporate Honoree award which was accepted by CEO Clarence Cazalot. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst was recognized with the Advocacy Award.

Schooled in the benefits of CIS on this night were close to 500 guests including honorary chair Regina Rogers, Klinka and John Lollar, Judy and Charles Tate, Soraya and Scott McClelland, Robin and John Wombwell, Leslie and Carlos Duncan, Linda Gale and former Gov. Mark White, Janiece Longoria and Steve Lasher, Ann and Kenny Friedman and Kelley and Harper Trammell.