Five Acres Wins 2011 Philanthropy Award from Bank of the West

Oct. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- (ALTADENA, Calif.) – Bank of the West announced that Five Acres is one of the laureate winners of the bank's 2011 Southern California Philanthropy Awards, which recognize individuals and nonprofit organizations that advance innovative solutions and demonstrate meaningful progress in the communities they serve. As a laureate, Five Acres won the top prize in the category of Team Member Commitment, and received a $15,000 cash grant and a video about the organization to showcase its community involvement.

In selecting Five Acres, Bank of the West commended the organization for Karen Ryan’s leadership, who serves as an employee of Bank of the West and board member of Five Acres. Ryan’s leadership has significantly advanced Five Acres’ mission and inspired her fellow team members.

“Bank of the West’s extraordinary generosity to Five Acres will help protect vulnerable children and their families from cutbacks in services they might otherwise experience.  We are deeply grateful for the high value Bank of the West has put on caring for those who are most at-risk in our society,” said Cathy Clement, Director of Philanthropy.

Bank of the West created the Philanthropy Awards program in 2010 to recognize outstanding organizations and individuals who are making a difference in their communities.  Awards are given in Northern and Southern California, and the Denver and Boulder, Colorado, metropolitan areas. Nominations for the Innovation in Philanthropy Award are submitted by the public. Candidates for the Community Impact and Team Member Commitment Awards are submitted by Bank of the West employees.

About Five Acres: Founded on the belief that each child deserves to be cared for, Five Acres is a child and family services agency in Altadena that strengthens families and prevents child abuse through treatment and education in community-based and residential programs.  Originally established as an orphanage in 1888, today Five Acres offers an array of services including a residential treatment center, a non-public WASC-accredited school, mental health services, foster care, adoption services and domestic violence prevention.  For information about how you can become involved, please contact Kristina Sarenas at (626) 798-6793 ext. 2279 or ksarenas@5acres.org.

About Bank of the West: Based in San Francisco, $59 billion-asset Bank of the West offers a full range of business, corporate, personal, trust and international banking services and operates more than 700 branch locations and commercial banking offices in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Bank of the West's holding company, BancWest Corporation, is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, among the six strongest banks in the world, according to Standard & Poor's.