Five Acres Presents Community Awards and Welcomes New Board Members

ALTADENA, Calif., March 14, 2024— Celebrating a legacy of compassion and commitment, Five Acres proudly acknowledged the outstanding contributions of distinguished individuals and organizations for their unwavering dedication to improving children’s lives at its 136th Annual Meeting and Board Celebration yesterday. Hosting the celebration at the Altadena Town and Country Club, the charity also announced its new board members and executive committee members.

“Looking back on the last four years, I am immensely proud of the work we’ve done here at Five Acres with the mission of serving the children and families in Southern California being our constant divining rod and regardless of the world we live in, our mission has always been at the forefront,” said Five Acres Board Chair Susan McGuirl, who welcomed guests. McGuirl reminisced on the impact the charity has made in her tenure as board chair, from pivoting to providing telehealth services quickly in 2020, to navigating many significant and impactful legislative reforms over the past many years. Most recently in this past year, Five Acres embarked on new contracts and services with healthcare companies as part of the CalAIM reform for a more and diverse revenue stream that aligns with its mission.

Besides the charity’s dedicated donors and advocates, the individuals honored have supported the charity’s mission in serving more than 6,100 children and families annually across six counties. The charity offers a full continuum of care for children and families in crisis, including foster care, adoption, and deaf services, short-term therapeutic residential care for youth in foster care, and community-based mental/behavioral health programs.

The individuals and organizations recognized were:

  • Lawrence Nikolai, artist and creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering who has been involved with Five Acres for 30 years, for The Children’s Thanks Award
  • Sally Olson, longtime volunteer and Children’s Guild member, for the Special Service to Children Award
  • Matthew Lillard, actor and champion of Five Acres children, for the Person of the Year Award
  • Danny and Joey Reaume, longtime volunteers and former co-chairs of the Five Acres Golf Classic and Dinner, for the Volunteers of the Year Award
  • The Patron Saints Foundation, a foundation committed to caring for the health needs of the surrounding community by providing grants to nonprofits serving the West San Gabriel Valley, for the Special Recognition Award
  • Susan McGuirl, who has volunteered for 15 years and served as Five Acres’ board chair for four years, for the Dorothy Cook Lifetime Achievement Award

Five Acres also bids farewell to Christianne Kerns, Nicole Rodger, Grace Russak, and Erica Tejeda, who served their tenure this year. Board members who departed made a mark on the agency’s mission.

The charity also welcomed three new board members: Leo Bolanos, Kirk Moon, III, and Chad Richardson, who join the class of 2024. Bolanos has 17 years of experience in wealth management, having worked as a private banker, fiduciary advisor, licensed investment advisor, and relationship manager at various global Private Banks before joining Northern Trust.

A partner at Hahn & Hahn, Moon is in its business practice, including acquisitions, and also has a background in healthcare in both transactional and regulatory matters. Moon is a member of the Finance Investment Committee and has also recently joined the charity’s Audit Committee. 

With more than 20 years of experience in the corporate sector and a passion for helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals, Richardson has served diligently on the Finance Investment Committee for the past five years. Richardson is the owner of CalTex Financial Group LLC, providing fee-based financial planning, wealth management, and risk mitigation strategies to individuals and families while also administering qualified retirement accounts and various group benefits to businesses nationwide through Cetera Investment Services.

The charity’s new executive committee are Chris Selak, chair; Bisi Ezeolu, secretary; Andrew Crowell, vice chair, finance/investment; Shoshana Puccia, vice chair, advancement; Susan McGuirl, vice chair, nominating, and past board chair; Dennis Duran, vice chair, audit; Kirsten Hansen, vice chair, administration; and Carol Chen, at large member.

“The annual meeting is a special event and what makes this annual celebration unique is that everyone here today has made such a difference to our Five Acres community and a big impact to children in real need,” said Selak, Five Acres’ incoming board chair. “Over the past 136 years, you and those before you have helped transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and families.”

To learn more about Five Acres and how to become involved, visit 5acres.org.

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About Five Acres Since 1888, Five Acres has protected the most vulnerable members of our community: children. Serving more than 6,100 children and family members annually across six counties, Five Acres now strives for permanency—a permanent, loving home—for all children in their care. The three pillars of safety, well-being and permanency provide the framework for its programs and guide the steps as the agency develops even more effective means of caring for children and families in crisis

Giving Tuesday 2023

Diverse group of children with logos of Five Acres and Giving Tuesday with the words that say Give our children's cottage TLC

Our childen’s cottage need your TLC!

Please kick in NOW to help us raise $150,000 for our Cottage Renovation Fund! This fund was established with generous grants from the Pasadena Community Foundation and the In-N-Out Burger Foundation totaling $75,000. You, too, can contribute to help us reach our goal!

Five Acres’ historic Altadena campus and 8 children’s cottages, designed by renowned architect Myron Hunt in the early 1920s, are almost 100 years old! These cozy cottages house hundreds of young children every year who live with us while receiving care and treatment.

Just as we care for children, our cottages also need TLC to remain safe, comfortable spaces for boys and girls to live and heal.

Donations will be used for essential repairs and improvements including cottage roofs, AC and heating systems, and other updates to ensure the comfort of our children and the teams who care for our children.

We are seeking support from foundations, businesses, and individuals to raise these needed funds.

Share the ❤ this Giving Tuesday. Thank you!

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Annual Board Installation and Awards Celebration

Five Acres Presents Community Awards and Welcomes New Board Member

Five Acres announced its new board member and recognized its community award recipients at its 135th Annual Meeting and Board Celebration yesterday. Hosting at The Athenaeum located at California Institute of Technology, Five Acres honored community members and volunteers who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to its mission during the previous year.

These individuals have supported the charity’s mission in serving more than 6,500 children and families annually across six counties, with San Diego as the newest county. The charity offers a full continuum of care for children and families in crisis, including foster care, adoption, deaf services, therapeutic residential care for youth in foster care, and community-based mental/behavioral health programs.

“The purpose of Five Acres has always been to provide safety and well-being for children who need care from an agency like ours. And seeing the children on campus reminds me of the importance of them having a safe and forever family,” said Susan McGuirl, who is the charity’s board chair. “We are continuously looking forward to ensuring each child has a loving, permanent family.”

The individuals and organizations recognized were:

  • The Altadena Sheriff’s Station, The Children’s Thanks Award
  • Cathy Simms, Five Acres Special Award
  • Five Acres Foster Care Team, Special Service to Children Award
  • Rob Trauber and Johnny Was, Person of the Year Award
  • Ruth Coyne, Volunteer of the Year Award
  • The Youssef and Kamel Mawardi Fund, Special Recognition Award
  • The Five Acres Leadership, Dorothy Cook Lifetime Achievement Award

 

The charity also welcomes a new board member: Kelley Bannon Lashley, who joins the class of 2023. Lashley is the founder of Deka Law Group. She is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Her practice areas include estate and business succession planning, trust administration, probate, conservatorship and guardianship law, as well as nonprofit advising and mediation. Lashley worked alongside her grandfather, Robert D. Bannon, and eventually took over his successful estate planning practice that served Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area for more than 50 years. Over the past 10 years, Lashley has expanded the firm’s practice into Ventura County where Deka now serves clients in its Westlake Village office. Having started her career in San Luis Obispo County, Lashley serves clients all over California.

The charity’s executive committee are Susan McGuirl, chair; Shoshana Puccia, secretary; Jason Melillo, vice chair, finance/investment; Chris Selak, vice chair, advancement; Grace Russak, vice chair, nominating; Christianne Kerns, vice chair, audit and former board chair; and Kirsten Hansen, vice chair, administration.

“In our 135th anniversary, it gives me great honor to recognize and appreciate all of our incredible awardees and our board of directors, who are among a legacy of volunteers and supporters that have been contributed to the impact and growth of Five Acres,” said Chanel Boutakidis, Five Acres chief executive officer. “With their commitment, we look toward the future of expanding our prevention and permanency services.”

To learn more about Five Acres, visit 5acres.org.

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Contact: 

Marisol Barrios Perez, MSPA, APR

310-713-8567 | Marisol@missiondrivenpr.com

annual-report-2021-2022

Celebrating 135 years

We are excited to celebrate our 135th birthday this year! While the annual report covers highlights from fiscal year 2021-2022, we want to also honor our past, embrace our present, and celebrate our future during this milestone occasion. We have come a long way from 1888 when we opened in a small home on Glower Street in Los Angeles to our five acres in Altadena with numerous offices serving over 6,500 children and families across six counties, with San Diego as our newest county. The purpose of Five Acres has always been to provide safety and well-being for children who need the care from an agency like ours. Take a look at our historical timeline included in the Annual Report 2021-2022.

Celebrating 135 years Five Acres Historical Timeline
Celebrating 135 years Five Acres Historical Timeline

Having served over 100,000 children and families in our 135 years, learn about the impact we continue to make in our communities. Read our Annual Report 2021-2022.


5A Annual Report 2021_2022 Cover with four children and the words read Celebrating 135 years with the Five Acres logo

I want to make a birthday donation!

135th Birthday Commemorative Gifts

Pictures of Five Acres 135th commemorative coffee table book and birthday candles

Celebrate our 135th birthday!

We’re celebrating our 135th birthday and have published a commemorative coffee table book and bundling it with birthday candles for $135. We’re sharing this birthday packet, while supplies last, during our birthday month — March! 

Purchases made are a donation to Five Acres. Please consider supporting our birthday to help us continue bringing safety, well-being, and permanency to more than 6,500 children and families across five counties.


Yes, I want to purchase the birthday packet!

Five Acres Annual Gala 2023

Five Acres 135th birthday celebration gala
We are pleased to announce that long-time supporters, Nicole Rasic and Trish Gonzales, will once again co-chair Five Acres 2023 fundraising gala, “The House of Five Acres.” Inspired by the agency’s 135th birthday celebration, this year’s gala is sure to be a huge bash. Actors Sam and Amber Jaeger will be our emcees for the evening.
As one of its two largest fundraising events of the year, this year’s gala will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The much-anticipated birthday celebration will take place outdoors at a historic Pasadena residence built in 1897 and designed by Frederick Roehrig, American architect of landmark building Hotel Green, once the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Valley Hunt Club. Castle Green, which was built as an annex to Hotel Green, and the Andrew McNally House in Altadena were also designed by Roehrig.


2023 Five Acres Gala Dinner Tickets




Special Table for 10





For sponsorship and underwriting questions, call Brandon Ito, associate director of development, at 626-390-8453 or email bito@5acres.org.https://youtu.be/eNoDdm_IS8M

take a peek at our invitation!


Five Acres Gala invitation

Click the image to view the invitation!

You can download the editable response card to reserve your tickets or make purchases below. You can still sponsor and/or underwrite the gala, download a fillable form here to complete and email it to events@5acres.org. You may also purchase below.

Yes, I want to be a sponsor and underwriter!

2023 Gala Sponsorships

2023 Gala Underwriters

More Underwriting Opportunities

A Thank you list of our Five Acres Gala sponsors and underwriters

Impending Tax Changes and Thoughtful Charitable Giving

As the calendar year begins to wind down, many of us start to think about charitable donations and year-end gifting.  Additionally, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has further highlighted attention on timely charitable giving.  However, all-too-often the busyness of life gets in the way of thoughtful gift planning and donations are rushed at the last minute simply to meet a tax deadline rather than being strategically planned so as to maximize both the deduction and philanthropic benefits of the gift.  For those with philanthropic priorities and interests, a well-developed philanthropy plan should be a core part of one’s overall financial plan. With the changes coming in Washington, uncertainties surround the future of personal income tax rates, the step-up in basis rule and the federal estate and gift tax exemption. It is widely agreed, however, that taxes are likely to go up. The country has to pay for stimulus bills and loan forgiveness programs. In other words, the current environment is favorable to many types of wealth transfer, due to low interest rates, high estate tax and gift tax exemptions and lower tax rates for many. One can make a compelling case that while interest rates are low but expected to rise over time (and by extension the IRS “7520 rates” which are used to value annuities and the deduction value of many types of charitable gifts), there are many compelling reasons for donors to revisit or begin their philanthropy planning now. There are many available techniques.
  • Gifting highly appreciated assets like shares of stock rather than simply giving cash can accomplish multiple objectives: avoid capital gains taxes, help rebalance an investment portfolio, and at the same time help support a worthwhile organization.
  • Holders of an IRA account who have attained age of 72, but do not need or want to take the annual taxable income, can consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).  Made permanent in late 2015, this provision allows an IRA holder to make a direct gift from an IRA to a charity.  The distribution can be used to fulfill the required minimum distribution (RMD) and help the charity, but this contribution does not also count as an itemized deduction.
  • Do you want to help a charity out but still need income?  In this instance a strategy like a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust may be appropriate.  Both of these techniques generate income for the donor but leave what’s left in the trust to a charity upon the donor’s passing.
  • Alternatively, perhaps you wish to reduce taxable income but still desire to support your favorite cause while also efficiently transferring valuable assets to your heirs.  A charitable lead trust (CLT) can help accomplish these multiple objectives.  A CLT is a charitable giving vehicle that makes lead payments to a charity for a term of years or the donor’s lifetime and then pays the remainder of the trust to one or more persons, typically family members of family trusts.  The legal and tax nuances surrounding CLT’s are quite complicated, so expert counsel should be sought in order to thoroughly explain the benefits and/or drawbacks.  Properly planned and executed, a CLT can be an efficient way to help a charity but also transfer assets for estate and gift tax purposes.
  • Perhaps your goal is to donate after you’re gone a portion of what’s left of your personal estate.  In this instance a bequest or designating a charity as the beneficiary of your IRA may be methods worth considering.
  • With the passage of the SECURE Act in early 2020, children are limited in their ability to stretch-out inherited IRAs from their parents. Under the new rules, an IRA can be stretched for a maximum of ten years during which time the investments must be liquidated and tax paid. A creative solution allowing a longer stretch-out is the use of charitable remainder trust (CRT). By designating a CRT as the beneficiary of your IRA, you can provide an income stream to your children for a much longer term, with the remainder going to charity. If you have a taxable estate for federal estate tax purposes, this plan will also allow a charitable contribution deduction.
The gift planning process itself can be a tremendously rewarding exercise.  Whether done as a family or individual, clarifying the purpose, importance, timing and type of philanthropic priorities can be extremely meaningful.  What types of causes or organizations are important to the individual or family?  Are there specific programs within those entities of most interest or just the general work?  Do you wish to be personally involved with the organization or the spending oversight?  Do you have the desire or ability to begin donating now, or will your gifts be posthumous?  Do you want recognition for your gift or do you wish to remain anonymous?  These are just several of the important questions which should be addressed as part of a philanthropy program. Identifying the goals and purposes behind the philanthropy first enables a more specific discussion of what type of assets and technique are most appropriate. Contributed by Andrew E. Crowell of D.A. Davidson & Co. and Five Acres Legacy Society member and Kelley Bannon Lashley of Deka Law Group and Five Acres Legacy Society member
Andrew E. Crowell
Kelley Bannon Lashley

Tickets Available for Five Acres Annual Gala on Saturday, May 14

Top Row from Left to Right: Resident Host Joe Fehrenbacher, Brandon Ito, Gala Co-Chair Nicole Rasic, Chris Selak, Jennifer Berger, Gala Co-Chair Trish Gonzales, Mimi Carter, Shoshana Puccia, and Beth Hansen.
Top Row from Left to Right: Resident Host Joe Fehrenbacher, Brandon Ito, Gala Co-Chair Nicole Rasic, Chris Selak, Jennifer Berger, Gala Co-Chair Trish Gonzales, Mimi Carter, Shoshana Puccia, and Beth Hansen.

ALTADENA, Calif., March 14, 2022—Five Acres, an Altadena-based children’s foster care agency, is hosting child welfare advocates and its supporters at Starry Starry Night: Five Acres’ Annual Gala on Saturday, May 14. Held at the private estate of Joe Fehrenbacher in Pasadena, the event will raise funds to support the more than 7,000 children and families it serves annually.

“Inspired by children’s wishes to be with loved ones, whether it’s a sibling or parents, this night of gourmet food, cocktails, music and dancing will reflect the charity’s love and support for the over 30,000 children living in foster care within our cities, needing permanent family solutions,” said Jennifer Berger, Five Acres’ chief advancement officer, adding that guests will be treated to live entertainment by Past Action Heroes, a sought after 80s and 90s cover band.

Working tirelessly to create a multi-faceted experience for its guests, the gala sponsorship committee has secured amazing live auction vacation destinations and silent auction items. These items include Cabo San Lucas for one week with airfare to explore the exciting water-based activities and hopping nightlife; Vail Condominium, your gateway to winter sports; an adventure trip to Bigfork Montana at a four-bedroom home to relish the breathtaking wide-open skies.

Leading the gala sponsorship committee are Co-Chairs Trish Gonzales and Nicole Rasic, and committee members Jennifer Berger, Angelique Blancas, Mimi Carter, Chelby Crawford, Michele Doll, Bernie Fabig, Beth Hansen, Kirsten Hansen, Brandon Ito, Dawn Kim, Celeste Liversidge, Sue McGuirl, Matt McIntyre, Mariann Nolan, Kris Ordaz, Marisol Barrios Perez, Shoshana Puccia, Chris Selak, and Erica Tejeda. 

Generous supporters and underwriters have stepped up to ensure that Five Acres fulfills its commitment that every child belongs in a loving and permanent family: Stephen and Chantal Bennett & Dr. Annette Ermshar & Associates, Specialized Psychological Services; Kirsten L. Hansen; Richard A. McDonald, Esq.; Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.; Carol Alexis Chen and Winston & Strawn LLP;  James Avedikian; East West Bank; LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger; Deka Law Group; Hahn & Hahn; Celeste and Samuel Liversidge; Sue McGuirl and Bob Musselman; Mariann and Tom Nolan; John Palacio & Nicole Rasic; Tucker Ellis LLP; and Union Bank; Pink Star: Mimi and Paul Carter; Gamble Jones Investment Group; Trish and Mike Gonzales; David and Laura Quigg; Grace and Kenneth Russak; and Chris and Steve Selak; and White Star: Harrington Group; Johnny Was; Debi and Scott Kroman; Longo Toyota-Longo Lexus; Matt McIntyre and Garrett Collins; Jacob and Genevieve Fakoory; and Julie Rosenthal.

The event underwriters are Helen and Will Webster for Dining Under the Stars; Beth Fishbein Hansen for Green Lawn Reception; Anita Yagjian for Champagne at the Pool; Harrington Group, Carolyn G. Adams, and Avon Studio Transportation  for Children’s Canopy of Wishes; Michele Boghossian for Dazzling Desserts; Marisol Barrios Perez, Mission Driven PR, and Zeenat Thiara for Star Goblets; and Bob Smith Toyota | Mike and Peter Smith for Twinkle Bars.  

Tickets are available for $300 each or an early bird special for a table of 10 is $2,750 before April 25. To purchase gala tickets, visit https://5acres.org/five-acres-annual-gala-2022/ or contact Five Acres at 626-773-3776. https://5acres.org/. Five Acres will follow all public health guidelines associated with operating an outdoor fundraising gala event.

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Five Acres Presents Community Awards and Welcomes New Board Members

New board members Carol Alexis Chen and Zoe Walrond are picturedALTADENA, Calif.—Five Acres announced its new board members and recognized its community award recipients at its 134th Annual Meeting and Board Celebration today on March 9. Hosting the virtual celebration, Five Acres honored community members and volunteers who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to its mission during the previous year.

These individuals have supported the charity’s mission in serving more than 7,000 children and families annually across five counties. The charity offers a full continuum of care for children and families in crisis, including foster care, adoption, deaf services, therapeutic residential care for foster youth, and community-based mental/behavioral health programs.

The individuals and organizations recognized were:

  • In honor of their memory, Gene Gregg and Margaret Sedenquist, Dorothy Cook Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Florence Nelson, Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Rustin Mork, Person of the Year Award
  • Carbon Health and Five Acres Nursing Staff, Special Service to Children
  • Don Boline, Special Recognition Award
  • In honor of her memory Melissa Kobe, The Children’s Thanks
  • Paul Maurin, Commitment to Service Award

Five Acres also bids farewell to Don Boline and Rustin Mork, who served their tenure this year. Board members who departed made a mark on the agency’s mission. Being a local builder, Boline started on the Building and Grounds Committee before he joined the Board in 2012. He served as the vice chair of administration and last year co-chaired the Gala Committee, galvanizing additional support for Five Acres. Mork started his involvement serving on the golf committee raising funds for the charity until he was recruited to join the Board in the same year as Boline. He chaired the Golf Committee and last served as the vice chair of nominating and audit committees.

The charity also welcomed two new board members: Carol Alexis Chen and Zoe Walrond who join the class of 2022. Chen is a partner and trial lawyer in Winston & Strawn LLP’s Los Angeles office. She represents public and private companies, corporate officers, entrepreneurs, and other individuals in high-stakes white collar criminal and complex civil litigation. Carol is heavily involved in community, pro bono, and non-profit board service and various professional associations, and serves as a mentor for Yale Law Women, Asian Pacific Asian Women Lawyers Alliance, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, and The Mentorship Boardroom, the latter for which she mentors young lawyers in South Africa through virtual meetings.

Walrond comes to the Five Acres board with a background in broadcast journalism. She was a television reporter and anchor for NBC affiliates in Denver and Kansas City, Missouri, and the CBS affiliate in Colorado Springs. She also served as news director of National Public Radio affiliate KCUR-FM in Kansas City, as Morning Edition anchor on NPR affiliate KPCC-FM in Pasadena, and as a contributing reporter for NPR. In addition, Zoe was a news anchor on all-news radio station KFWB in Los Angeles. As an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Humboldt, formerly known as Humboldt State, she taught journalism and radio production and was faculty advisor to the university’s award-winning student radio station. 

The charity’s new executive committee are Susan McGuirl, chair; Shoshana Puccia, secretary; Jason Melillo, vice chair, finance/investment; Chris Selak, vice chair, advancement; Grace Russak, vice chair, nominating; Chris Kerns, vice chair, audit and past board chair; and Kirsten Hansen, vice chair, administration.

“We honor, recognize, and appreciate all of our wonderful awardees, departing board members, new board members, and new executive committee, who have been an asset to the impact and growth of Five Acres,” said Chanel Boutakidis, Five Acres chief executive officer. “We have experienced the numerous challenges brought on by the pandemic yet the loyalty and commitment of those we recognize this evening have enabled us to continue focusing on the children and staff’s safety and well-being, while bringing loving, permanent forever families to children and youth in foster care.”

To learn more about Five Acres, visit 5acres.org.

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About Five Acres

Since 1888, Five Acres has protected the most vulnerable members of our community: children. Serving more than 7,000 children and family members annually across five counties, Five Acres now strives for permanency—a permanent, loving home—for all children in their care. The three pillars of safety, well-being and permanency provide the framework for its programs and guide the steps as the agency develops even more effective means of caring for children and families in crisis.