Story by Emily G. Peters
Photos by Terry Miller
Five Acres held “A Red Carpet Affair,” an annual gala to champion their mission to aid local children and families. The beautiful Molina Estate in Pasadena hosted the event where 300 guests enjoyed the red carpet treatment complete with live music, dancing and raffle and auction prizes, including a Paris getaway and two instant wine collections. The child and family services organization also premiered “When You Can’t Go Home,” a short film on Five Acres’ 2017 5 Jamma Slamma event created by actor/producer Matthew Lillard. The video followed several Five Acres’ foster youth as they journeyed through a five-day poetry boot camp culminating in their own live performance in Los Angeles.
Wells Fargo Area President Sandy Walia and Chris Selak, Executive VP Worldwide Television for Lionsgate Entertainment served as gala chairs for the event. Actor/writer/producer Mike O’Malley joined the program as this year’s emcee while “Gavel Girl” DawnMarie Kotsonis headed up a lively auction. Near the evening’s end, one charitable guest matched every dollar donated to the organization in the final call, exceeding Five Acres’ fundraising goals for the gala. For more information, visit http://5acres.org/.
