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Robert A. Ketch, executive director of Five Acres and responsible for the child and family care agency’s dynamic growth over the past three decades, was honored for his long and dedicated service at the organization’s “Swingin’ on a Star” annual fundraising gala at the One Colorado Courtyard in Old Pasadena.
Ketch became executive director of Five Acres in 1984, after serving as its director of professional services for seven years, and has been at the forefront of expanding and diversifying the agency’s efforts to strengthen families and prevent child abuse through treatment and education in community-based and residential programs.
“There is nothing more appropriate than shining a well-deserved spotlight on Bob Ketch so that his contributions, passion and commitment to saving at risk children and families are understood and appreciated throughout the community,” said Jill and John Fosselman, co-chairs of the gala. “Honoring him at ‘Swingin’ on a Star’ is the ideal setting since all the agency’s major supporters, volunteers and friends will be attending.”
Echoing the theme “Stars Over Havana,” The Courtyard at One Colorado was transformed into an opulent casino in the Cuban capital from a bygone era featuring an elegant grand cabana and dancing to the La Charanga Cubana Band.
Longo Lexus was the title sponsor of the benefit, which supports Five Acres’ children abuse prevention, treatment and education programs. Other major sponsors include State Street, Western Asset Management Co., Union Bank and One Colorado.
The restaurants and retailers at One Colorado worked in partnership with Five Acres in constructing and conducting the event. Guests were able to select from exceptional silent and live auctions items, including cooking lessons for eight guests from Chef Avinash Kapoor of Akbar Cuisine of India in the winner’s home, four-wheel drive training in the backcountry of Colorado, Utah, or California by Bill Burke’s 4-Wheeling America, and a signed Judith Leiber purse, as well as an assortment of trips, beauty treatments, dinners, and entertainment opportunities.
Il Fornaio chef Gerardo “Lalo”Talamantes was joined by Chef Villanueva of Gordon Biersch and Head Sushi Chef Shin Toyota of Sushi Roku creating a Cuban-themed dinner extraordinaire.
Ketch created Five Acres’ first family-based services to help keep at-risk families together and has been instrumental in keeping the agency on the cutting edge of advances in social services. He is a graduate of Tulane University’s graduate program with a master’s degree in social work and received his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. He lives in the Windsor Square neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Based in Altadena, Five Acres was founded in 1888 as one of Los Angeles’ earliest orphanages. The child and family services agency now provides therapeutic prevention, treatment and education programs to strengthen families and prevent child abuse. Services include residential care and education, mental health services in homes and schools, deaf mental health services, foster care and adoptions and domestic violence prevention. It serves nearly 4,000 children and families throughout Southern California annually. For more information on Five Acres, their programs and how you can help call (626) 798-6793 or log onto www.5acres.org. | 
