Five Acres Welcomes New Board Members, Honors Volunteers and Donors

The newest Five Acres board members, from left: Grace Russak, Shoshana Puccia, Kirsten Hansen, Andrew Crowell and Chris Kerns, board chair.

[Altadena, California] March 18, 2019 – Five Acres celebrated its 131^st anniversary last week at its annual board meeting held March 13, 2019 at the Altadena Town and Country Club. The nonprofit welcomed four new members to its board of directors and recognized several volunteers and donors for their impact supporting Five Acres’ programs in foster care, adoption and mental health services to vulnerable children and families in Los Angeles.

Honorees at the event included Rich Webster of the Helen and Will Webster Foundation, Engaging the Senses Foundation, Dr. Doug and Jane Krech of the Tsutayo Ichioka and Satsuki Ichioka Charitable Foundation, Jennifer Dunne, Kelley Bannon Lashley, Don Bishop and Laura and Jason Berns of The Berns Team.

 

6. Matt Lillard, who accepted Five Acres Special Service to Children award to Engaging the Senses Foundation, with Five Acres chief advancement officer Jennifer Berger and Ryan Dietz, past board chair.

In addition, Andrew Crowell, Kirsten Hansen, Shoshana Puccia and Grace Russak all joined the board, bringing an expansive range of experience including backgrounds in wealth management, legal affairs and marketing.

Five Acres thanked departing board members Casey Adams, Don Bishop and Marie Claire Moulet for their stalwart support of kids in need of permanent families. Members of the board executive committee also formally entered into their roles with Christianne Kerns in her final year as board chair; Rustin Mork as board secretary; Nicole Rodger as vice chair finance/investment, Kelley Bannon Lashley as vice chair advancement, Sue McGuirl as vice chair nominating, John Reith as vice chair audit, Don Boline as vice chair administration and Chris Selak as member at large.

Last year, the event celebrated the first official “Five Acres Day,” a proclamation by L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger recognizing March 12 as Five Acres Day across all Los Angeles. Five Acres has enjoyed 131 years of uninterrupted service since its origins as an orphanage in downtown LA and continues to serve more than 9,700 children and families today.

About Five Acres
Five Acres is a child and family service agency ensuring every child has a safe, healthy and permanent family solution through advocacy, prevention and evidence-based services. Established as an orphanage in 1888, today Five Acres offers programs including mental health services, intensive residential care, foster care and adoption. Currently, Five Acres serves approximately 9,700 children and their families across five counties in Los Angeles. Visit 5acres.org for more information.