Partner Jim Rishwain to Receive Award Recognizing Philanthropic Support of Children in Foster Care

Los Angeles—Iconic comedian, actor and impressionist Dana Carvey will entertain attendees and donors at CASA of Los Angeles’ 4th Annual Evening to Foster Dreams Gala, held May 10 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The fundraising dinner will bring together volunteers and dedicated community members to honor Los Angeles leaders who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to children, including children who have been abused or neglected in foster care.

This year’s event will honor multiple individuals. The first is an important figure to many children in foster care and to organizations supporting children’s welfare in Los Angeles. Since 1995, Judge Michael Nash served as either Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court or as Supervising Judge of the Juvenile Dependency Court, until his retirement in 2015. He currently serves as the director of the county’s newly formed Office of Child Protection.

TV Host and Actor Mario Lopez will receive the Bob Frandzel Memorial Award for his continued work with children’s charities.

“Every year we strive to make this event more memorable than the last, and having Mr. Carvey bring his infamous comedy to the stage puts us in a great position to do just that,” said CASA of Los Angeles Executive Director Dilys Garcia. “The work we do is serious and life-changing for Los Angeles’ foster children. A night to laugh with our volunteers and donors is always welcome.”

Pillsbury partner Jim Rishwain, who serves as Board Chair of CASA of Los Angeles, will receive the Robert Morrison Community Service Award for his ongoing philanthropy and commitment to the organization.

The Evening to Foster Dreams Gala includes a blind auction, and all proceeds of the event benefit CASA’s programs of advocacy and support for abused and neglected children in Los Angeles County’s foster care system.

Additional information and tickets and sponsorship packages for the Evening to Foster Dreams Gala are available through CASA/LA’s website at casala.org.

ABOUT CASA/LA

Founded in 1978, CASA of Los Angeles is a community-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to mobilize community volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in the overburdened foster care system of Los Angeles County. CASA’s vision is of a Los Angeles where every foster child has an advocate and the opportunity to thrive. Through committed, highly trained everyday citizen volunteers, CASA brings the voice of a concerned community into the child welfare system. Studies have shown that children with CASAs receive more assistance and support than children without, and are more likely to be adopted or returned to their families and less likely to reenter the child welfare system. For more information, please visit the CASA of Los Angeles website: www.casala.org