Voices for Five Acres Gala 2015

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Five Acres invites you to our annual
Voices for Five Acres Gala

Saturday, June 6, 2015
6:00 pm Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction
7:30 pm Dinner and Program
The Westin Pasadena
191 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101

We appreciate your support of the gala!

Fiveacres-donate

 

Sponsorship Levels
Soprano – $20,000
Alto – $15,000
Tenor – $10,000
Baritone – $5,000
Bass – $3,000
Treble – $1,000
Eventbrite - Voices for Five Acres Gala

Event Tickets
$250 each
Eventbrite - Voices for Five Acres Gala

Underwriting Opportunities
Dinner – $10,000
Cocktail Reception – $5,000
Entertainment – $3,500
Flowers and DĂŠcor – $3,000
Eventbrite - Voices for Five Acres Gala Underwriting

Click here for sponsor benefits and details: Gala_Sponsor_Underwriting_Voices for Five Acres

Business or Tribute Ads
You can purchase an ad for the program booklet to showcase your company or to share your voice in support of Five Acres!

  • Full-page ad (7.5’’ W x 10’’ H): $1,000
  • Half-page ad (7.5’’ W x 4.5’’ H): $700
  • Quarter-page ad (3.5’’ W x 4.5’’ H): $350
  • Business card ad (3.5’’ W x 2’’ H): $150
  • Design fee (if we create your artwork): $50

Please submit all artwork to events@5acres.org no later than Friday, May 8, 2015 to be included in the program. Ads must be black and white, high resolution JPG or PDF, and no full bleed ads.

For additional questions, please contact events@5acres.org or call 626-773-3776. Thank you!

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR STARS!

Sponsors, Underwriters, Donors and Gala Committee

Soprano Sponsors
Chantal and Stephen Bennett

Tenor Sponsors
Wells Fargo Bank

Baritone Sponsors
Keri and Andrew Crowell
Michele and John Hall
Amber and Sam Jaeger
Sue McGuirl and Bob Musselman
Charlotte and John Reith

Bass Sponsors
Calleton, Merritt, De Francisco & Bannon, LLP
Hahn & Hahn, LLP
Lionsgate
Susan and Bradley Mohr
Mariann and Tom Nolan
Karen Ryan
Catherine Simms
Union Bank

Treble Sponsors
BNY Mellon
California Bank & Trust
Dr. Ted Cosse and Ms. Pamela Cosse
Christine Davis
Olatunji Giwa and Michele Dooley
Harrington Group
Tiffany and Thomas Harris
Debi and Scott Kroman
Greta and Peter Mandell
Paul and Linda Maurin
Morris & Berger
Pasadena Tournament of Roses
Julie Rosenthal
Chris and Steve Selak
Maria Low Way
Kathleen and William Wishner
Anita Yagjian

Underwriters
Ben Taylor – Printing
Makena Productions – Video
Christian Printing Service – Invitation Printing
Direct Connection – Invitation Mailing
LATHER – Valet Parking Underwriter
Capture POD Professional Photo Booths – Photo Booth
m.kobe photography – Photography
Nancy and Hugh Helm – Dessert Underwriter
Nakano Nursery – Dessert Underwriter
Le Grand Courtage – Champagne In-kind-donor
Carmen Benetiz – Underwriter
Jennifer and John Berger – Wine Underwriter
Chanel and Ioakim Boutakidis – Wine Underwriter
Veronica and Tim Kellar – Wine Underwriter
Maria and Donald P. Schweitzer – Advertising Underwriter
Tom Murray / Morgan Stanley – Wine In-kind-donor
Longo Toyota-Scion-Lexus – Auction Underwriter
Whole Foods – Volunteer Meals Underwriter
LATHER – In-kind donor
The Teacup Bakery – In-kind donor

 

Gala Committee
Sue McGuirl – Gala Sponsorship Chair
Stephen Bennett
Jennifer Berger
Michele Dooley
Michele Hall
Tiffany Harris
Rebecca Haussling
Debi Kroman
Kelley Lashley
Heather Lillard
Amanda Ma
Tawnia McKiernan
Tim McKiernan
Mimi Melgaard
Ann Moore
Paola Mork
Robbin Nordsten
Christine Selak
Emily Street
Sheridan Thayer
Maria Velasquez

Imagine Tea

Imagine Tea
March 1, 2015

Enchant Children with New Imagine Tea, Providing Special Entertainment by Young Magicians from The Magic Castle
We are excited to extend our beloved Afternoon Tea tradition to the young and young-at-heart, with the introduction of “Imagine Tea,” which will be held quarterly.

Imagine Tea is designed especially for children and will feature a remarkable touch of magic. As part of the upcoming Imagine Tea experience, junior performers from the famed Magic Castle will be on hand to entertain young tea guests, performing close-up magic while children dine on a specialty tea menu of magically-decorated cookies, ham, turkey and PB & J sandwiches and whimsical desserts, all accompanied by pink lemonade, milk and a selection of fruit-infused, caffeine-free teas.

Young tea guests will also have the opportunity to make their own magic during the tea, as they are invited to attend dressed as whichever character, person or animal most appeals to their imagination. During the tea, each child will then be invited to enjoy a special photo op on the magic stage of The Langham Huntington, Pasadena Lobby Lounge.

The next Imagine Tea is scheduled for March 1, 2015, benefitting Five Acres, a child & family services agency promoting the safety, well-being and permanency for children and their families since 1888. Seatings will be presented at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Priced at $48 for adults and $36 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required and may be requested at 626-585-6218.

Imagine Tea at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is part of a family-oriented partnership created between the hotel and the junior program of Magic Castle. Presented quarterly, the new Imagine Tea series will also benefit several local children’s non-profit organizations. The Langham Huntington, Pasadena will donate a portion of each tea date’s proceeds to such charities. The organization will also receive its own table at each seating of the tea, with the ability to bring their own special guests to the event.

2015 Imagine Tea Dates:

March 1
June 7
September 13

For reservations, please dial (626) 585-6218

Five Acres Annual Clinical Conference

Thursday, January 8 and Friday, January 9 Five Acres held its annual Clinical Conference at the Sheraton Pasadena, with guest speaker Martha Teater a specialist in “Compassionate Fatigue” work and a licensed Marriage and Family Counselor.  More than 200 of our clinical staff attended the two day conference as part of their ongoing certification process.

Martha Teater with Rachel McClements

Guest Speaker Martha Teater

Guest Speaker Martha Teater

Staff Attends Clinical ConferenceIMG_3865Rachel McClements, Kim Hutchings

 

 

 

Volunteer Profile: Sue McGuirl

This month we highlight Five Acres supporter and 2015 Gala Chair Sue McGuirl.

Sue is a Senior Director for Fireman’s Fund Entertainment Insurance, a company of Allianz, and has been in the insurance business for thirty years. Sue works on insurance for touring entertainers, live events, film and TV. She was once a figure skating coach and coached synchronized team skating for many years. In her interview below, Sue shares with us how she was first introduced to Five Acres and the ways her involvement has grown over the last few years.

FA: How did you get introduced to Five Acres?

SM: I was transferred from Connecticut to Los Angeles about six years ago. Our neighborhood friend, Michele Hall, introduced me to Five Acres. She invited Bob and me to the Swingin’ on a Star Gala. It was one of my first fundraisers for Five Acres. Shortly after, I joined my first committee for the Grace Center Fashion Show. After that, I had a tour of the main campus and ultimately joined the Program Committee.

FA: How has your commitment and relationship with Five Acres evolved since first getting introduced?

SM: It has evolved! After touring the campus – at Christmastime in 2011 – I knew Five Acres was a special place and I wanted to be part of it. I was most inspired during one of my first Program Committee meetings when I met the director of the Five Acres Therapeutic School, Monique Baca-Geary. She showed us around the school and explained how the school offers an intense therapeutic learning environment for children K-10 with academic, emotional, and behavioral issues. As Monique described her 20-plus year commitment to Five Acres I could see her passion, drive, and pure love for her students and her team. It was overwhelming. It was that day I decided this was a place I wanted to support, not only for the children, but for the staff who support Five Acres’ mission.

FA: What’s next for you and your involvement with Five Acres?

SM: For the next several months my primary focus for Five Acres will be with the Sponsorship Committee for the 2015 Voices for Five Acres gala. Our committee convenes in mid-January and the team is revved up to raise money and awareness for Five Acres – all while having fun! We have a wonderful committee this year already, and we welcome more people if anyone is interested. Any amount of time, talent or treasured donations will help make the gala successful. I am truly amazed by the generosity of all the people who work so hard to make these events spectacular. This year’s gala is no exception!

FA: Would you like to reflect on your service to Five Acres?

SM: Personally, I am overwhelmed at the commitment of so many volunteers and staff members. Their passion is contagious! I hope to be able to keep that momentum going and work to support the volunteers and staff as they strive toward ensuring every child has a safe, loving, and permanent family solution.

Celebrating 2014 with Five Acres!

Thank you for a wonderful year! 2014 has been a pivotal year for Five Acres because we launched our new permanency campaign to find permanent family solutions for 20,000 children by the year 2020. We believe every child deserves a loving, permanent family. It’s because of you that Five Acres has served more than 8,400 children and family members this year and your support continues to help us grow. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children in our community.

Please enjoy this collage of photos celebrating 2014!

Cheers to the incredible impact we have made together this year and to all we will accomplish for our children and families in the years to come. Thank you for supporting Five Acres!

Fiveacres-donate

Volunteer Profile: Christine Davis

Christine Davis was introduced to Five Acres in the late 1980s by her mother-in-law, Sylvia, who had been involved with the agency’s Auxiliary group since the early 60’s.  “I learned then that the work being done by Five Acres was fundamental to impacting the scourge of child abuse and neglect,” says Christine. As we approach the holidays, we talked with Christine about her 25+ years with the Five Acres community and how the experience has impacted her personally.

FA: The holiday season is upon us! What are you thankful for related to your work with Five Acres?
CD: I am thankful for every person I have met there. They truly inspire me. I am thankful for each staff person who is working with every child and family. The job is stressful, requiring significant strength and commitment. They are doing the hard work and their efforts do make a difference!  My personal support of time and charitable gifts and that of my company are little to supply the air beneath their wings, but all of our “littles” do make a big difference and enable Five Acres to directly help children and families in need. I am thankful for that.

FA: How have you participated at Five Acres over the years?
CD: I started by joining the Auxiliary and became president of that group in 1994. We took on fundraising events and volunteer projects with the children, especially the Group Home, which was very gratifying. Eventually I joined the Board and held a variety of positions over the years, including Board Chair from 2006-2008. I have served on and chaired many committees, and today am on the Board Affairs Committee and am honored to be an Ambassador for the agency.

FA: That’s quite a history of involvement. Does any experience stand out?
CD: The most rewarding experience I ever had was with a young man who formerly lived in one of the Group Homes. He was buying his first car and needed someone by his side, a kind of “passage moment” to be shared with a caring parent. I remember loving him from the moment I carved a Halloween pumpkin with him at the Group Home, so volunteered to help. I met him at the dealer and we went through all of the paperwork to make sure he could pay the small loan and build a positive credit history, which he would need in life. Later, Five Acres told me he stopped by with his car to thank them and said he was taking his daughter to the zoo for the first time. That trip to the zoo with a father and daughter showed how Five Acres helped this young man overcome his circumstances, and that the next generation was also a benefiting.

FA: What a wonderful story. It sounds like you’ve found many ways to support the agency and its work.
CD: Yes, I have also gotten my company involved. I work at Union Bank and banks, like many other companies, want to give back to the communities where they do business.  For the 13 years I have worked there, Union Bank has contributed to each Five Acres annual event with a sponsorship.  The company also has a Matching Gift program. I submit receipts of my personal contributions for a 2/3 match, amplifying my own giving. Many companies offer similar programs.  I would encourage all to inquire at their employer and ensure their gifts are matched.  If your employer doesn’t offer matched giving, please champion the initiation of such a program.  It is a valuable benefit that strengthens an employee’s tie to a “company that chooses to give back to its community.”

FA: What do you wish for Five Acres?
CD: I wish all Five Acres children and families, past and present, a stronger connection this holiday season. May they achieve personal empowerment and live into a positive future.

Five Acres Announces their Holiday Open House and annual Toy Drive

(Tuesday, November 18, 2014, Altadena, CA ) Community members and friends of Five Acres are invited to attend the Annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 4th, 2014 in Altadena.

The heartwarming event kicks off with carolers from Maranatha High School, a harpist, a vocal quartet from the Jet Propulsion Lab and features a string quartet playing cheerful holiday music from the Pasadena Symphony and POPS’ “Random Acts of Music” program.

 

The evening will hold a holiday sing-along with Five Acres supporter and actor Ann Cusack and a very special storytelling with actor Jane Kaczmarek.

 

The event is open to the public and includes festive libations, scrumptious appetizers and an ongoing tour of Five Acres’ main campus.

 

During the holiday season, Five Acres asks the community for support of its annual Toy Drive, a holiday initiative that grants holiday wishes for the children in residence and the hundreds of community-based families who rely on our support. Each year, Five Acres hopes to make the holidays a little more joyful for our children and families.

 

Your unwrapped toy donations can be delivered to Five Acres between December 1and December 12, M-F/8:00a.m.to 6:00pm and SAT 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

 

This year, Five Acres is asking interested donors and corporate partners to consider becoming a Cottage Angel. Your gift of $500.00 sponsors holiday beautification for one of the residential cottages or group home. This contribution will provide a holiday tree, ornaments, home accents like garland, stockings and wreaths for ten children living in our residential treatment center.

For more information on ways to give the gift of hope this season to Five Acres children and families please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Lowe at 626.773.3751 or slowe@5acres.org.

 

For additional inquiries, please call Director of Communications Rebecca Haussling at rhaussling@5acres.org or 626-773-3809 or go to www.5acres.org/events

 

 

 

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About Five Acres

Five Acres is a child and family services agency strengthening families and preventing child abuse through treatment and education in community-based and residential programs. Established as an orphanage in 1888, today Five Acres offers an array of services including community-based services, residential treatment, foster care and adoption, supporting the nearly 8,400 children and families in five counties, including Los Angeles. www.5acres.org

Five Acres launches 2014 Permanency Campaign

(Wednesday November 12 – Altadena, CA ) – Five Acres hosted a launch event Thursday November 6 at the Armory Center for the Arts to announce its 20,000 By 2020 Campaign and unveil the artistic representation of more than 20,000 children currently in foster care, in Los Angeles; a sculpture named Boy 5A. Boy 5A was revealed by actor and longtime Five Acres supporter, Sam Jaeger (Parenthood.)

Five Acres acknowledged and thanked corporate sponsors including “foster” families Pacific Oaks College, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc/Bank of America, Langham Huntington Hotel, Jones Coffee, The Factory Hair & Makeup Studio and California Bank & Trust.

Boy 5A has found a permanent, loving home with Berkshire-Hathaway HomeServices Foundation after they agreed to purchase Boy 5A and keep him on display in one of their Southern California real estate branches.

 

Likened to the Cow on Parade in Chicago and the Community of Angels Project in LA, Boy 5A is designed to educate the public on the crisis that is the current foster care system. Five Acres’ goal is to help raise awareness and create a sense of urgency for the more than 20,000 children currently living in the foster care s in Los Angeles.

Of the over 400,000 children across the nation in foster care, nearly 61,000 are in the state of California and of that number a third live in the city of Los Angeles. We need to act swiftly to expand the pool of potential adoptive parents for these children in crisis. The hope is that Boy 5A will trigger action and more potential foster  and adoptive families will step up and make the commitment to either foster or adopt.

Boy 5A will be on display in the seven corporate partners’ public spaces, lobbies, courtyards and offices over a seven week span; representing the many homes and adjustments a foster child experiences while in care.   Capturing the joy and hope of the children, Boy 5A will help Five Acres drive home the message that children in foster care are just that –  children – with the same basic needs as any of their peers.
The public phase of Boy 5A kicked off last week at the Armory event and he will remain on public view until the first week of January 2015 when Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices “adopts” him and thus culminating the Five Acres permanency campaign, tied to National Adoption Awareness Month.

Boy 5A Schedule:

California Bank and Trust, Pasadena – November 11-18

Merrill Lynch/B of A in DTLA (near Staple Center) November 18- December 1

Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena December 1-December 15

Jones Coffee, Pasadena – December 15-December 22

Langham Huntington Hotel December 22 – January 4, 2015

 

 

For more information please go to www.5acres.org/advocacy-now  or contact Director of Communications, Rebecca Haussling at rhaussling@5acres.org 626-773-3809.

 

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About Five Acres:

Five Acres is a child and family services agency strengthening families and preventing child abuse through treatment and education in community based and residential programs. Established as an orphanage in 1888, today Five Acres offers an array of services including community-based services, residential treatment, foster care and adoption, supporting the nearly 8,400 children and families in five counties, including Los Angeles. www.5acres.org

 

[Press Release] – Five Acres hosts Taste of Tuscany

Five Acres hosts Taste of Tuscany, a benefit dinner held at Claud & Co Eatery, raises funds for programs and services

(Altadena, CA) October 28, 2014 – Five Acres supporters gathered for the 3rd annual Taste of Tuscany on October 19th benefit dinner held at Claud & Co The Eatery. It was an intimate gathering among new and old friends; many who have either been to Italy or are visiting in the near future and most importantly, have a passion for delicious food and wine and supporting Five Acres.

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