The memory of a local teen is being kept alive through art, music, and this weekend—Greek yogurt.
On any given weeknight, 16-year-old Sami Liber would finish her homework around 10:30 p.m., turn to her dad, and deliver a simple, familiar announcement: “I’m in the car.”
Without hesitation, Rodney Liber would drop whatever he was doing to drive his daughter across town to satisfy her late-night craving for frozen yogurt. Those drives were filled with father-daughter banter, custom playlists, and a quiet closeness that defined their relationship.
Two years after Sami tragically passed away following an ATV accident, her family is choosing to mark her 18th birthday, this Saturday, by inviting the Brentwood community into that very same routine.
Go Greek Yogurt on San Vicente Boulevard will donate a portion of all sales to The SAMI Foundation, a nonprofit launched in Sami’s memory that provides art and music supplies to underserved children across the country.
A father’s words
Rodney says his family is “managing” two years after their loss.
“It is a question of trying to maintain stability all the time, trying to push forward, find a purpose, and find meaning,” he tells The Sun. “In cases like Saturday, where your inclination would be to retreat, we sort of advance. We feel an obligation and a desire to do the most we can do to keep her memory alive,. That goes for me, my wife, Carla, and [their daughter] Ava.”
Rodney says he sent a cold email to one of Go Greek’s founders explaining the family’s connection, and the company “got on board right away with both arms and both legs.”
Due to timing, however, the charitable donations will only be made through the chain’s Brentwood store.
A community tradition continues
This isn’t the first time a local business has rallied around Sami’s memory. In the first year after her death, Caffe Luxxe on San Vicente gave out about 225 free “Sami Lattes”—iced vanilla lattes with oat milk—to customers who brought in commemorative coasters.
Go Greek’s founders have already expressed interest in making the tribute more elaborate next year, once they have more time to plan a larger promotion. For now, the family is grateful for the simple act of remembrance—and for every person who stops by, mentions Sami’s name, and helps carry her love of creativity forward.
Remembering Sami
To those who knew her, Sami was the vibrant heart of her neighborhood—a varsity cheerleader, the incoming yearbook editor at Brentwood School, and a young artist who could usually be found scouting local spots along San Vicente, playlist in hand.
She expressed herself through sketching, painting, and photography, curated meticulous playlists (Lana Del Rey was a favorite), and dreamed of attending Tulane University to study design. The future she imagined included marriage, children, a modern farmhouse with chickens—and a Ferrari F8 Spider in the garage.
Her Brentwood School teacher Keith Sarkisian, who knew Sami since kindergarten, recalled her “infectious spirit” and “dry sense of humor.”
The SAMI Foundation
The SAMI Foundation was created to provide art and music supplies to underserved children in classrooms, hospitals, camps, shelters, and anywhere there is a need.
Funded entirely through private donations and pledges from close friends, it is already fulfilling requests from organizations across the country—but demand far outpaces capacity.
“I would love for a transformational foundation or institution to support us because I would love to scale the organization,” Rodney says. “Right now, we cannot fulfill all the requests.”
How to help
The family is asking that anyone who stops by simply mention Sami’s name when making their purchase.
- When: Saturday, August 8, all day
- Where: Go Greek Yogurt, 11677 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood
- What to do: Order your favorite frozen yogurt, mention “Sami” at checkout, and a portion of proceeds will go to The SAMI Foundation
The family clarified that Saturday’s gathering is not a formal celebration or event, but rather an informal, honorary way for the community to remember Sami together.
Those who want to support The SAMI Foundation directly can visit thesamifoundation.org.
- Remembering Sami Liber: Go Greek fundraiser honors beloved teen on 18th birthday - August 5, 2026
- Inside Fun Play World: Slides, ball pits, and birthday party fun - August 4, 2026
- Santa Monica brings back ‘Twilight’ vibes with Tongva Park series - August 3, 2026