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, will be honored for his long and dedicated service at the organization's "Swingin' on a Star" annual fundraising gala Sunday, June 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 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 will be 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.

Guests will be 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 will be joined by Chef Villanueva of Gordon Biersch and Head Sushi Chef Shin Toyota of Sushi Roku to create 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.

For ticket information and reservations please call Catherine Martinez at (626) 798-6793, ext. 2250, or e-mail .