Over 100 guests attended Five Acres’ Annual Holiday Open House on Dec. 5th at the Altadena main campus complete with entertainment by the children and a special guest appearance by the 2013 Rose Queen and Court. Guests enjoyed food, children’s artwork and strolling Victorian carolers from The Music Companie. The public event also collected toys for children across Five Acres’ community-based and residential programs.

The artists, who are residents living in Five Acres’ care shared information about their works of art which were auctioned off. Proceeds will go directly to the artist. A select group of children from Five Acres sang holiday songs and were led by Five Acres Music Therapist, Scott Couper. The Rose Queen and Court participated in a Q & A with the children and the evening concluded with a Christmas sing along with the kids and members of the audience.

During the holiday season, Five Acres seeks the community’s support for its Family Angels program, a holiday initiative that grants holiday wishes to nearly 250 families in need across Los Angeles County. Program participants receiving support from Five Acres’ Family Angels program are children and families in crisis or experiencing challenges and seek services from Five Acres’ community-based and residential programs.

Interested donors are asked to sponsor a family which ranges in size from 2 to 15 members and each donor is requested to provide a least one item for each of the family members listed along with a holiday food basket or grocery store gift card. Cash donations and gift cards to popular retailers and grocery stores are also welcome. At this time, less than half of the 250 families have found holiday “angels.”

For more information on ways to give the gift of hope this holiday season, visit www.fiveacres.org or contact Jasmine Abghari at (626) 773-3744 or at [email protected].

About Five Acres

Five Acres is a leading child and family services organization that promotes safety, well-being and permanency for children and their families by building on their strengths and empowering them within communities. Founded as an orphanage in 1888, Five Acres will proudly celebrate its 125th year of service in 2013. Today Five Acres offers an array of services including residential care and education, a non-public WASC accredited therapeutic school, mental health services in homes and schools, foster care and adoptions and domestic violence prevention. For more information on ways to help, visit www.fiveacres.org or contact Kristina Sarenas at [email protected] or (626) 773-3779.