Nonprofit to thank supporters
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Robin Platt wanted to do more social good than simply hand out candy during the holidays to the tenants of the building management company she works for.

Platt, vice president of Topa Management, which owns and manages property in Westlake Village and the Oxnard Financial Plaza, asked her boss if the company could donate to charities the $10,000 it usually spends on candy for the holiday party it throws for building tenants. Her supervisor agreed, and for the last three years Topa Management employees and tenants have donated hundreds of holiday gifts to Casa Pacifica children and their family members.

Christmas trees in the company's lobbies are decorated with ornaments that list the name, age and gift wish of the Casa Pacifica recipient. People take an ornament off the tree, buy the gift and deliver it to Casa Pacifica.

"The tenants, the companies were so generous . . . it was amazing," Platt said.

Casa Pacifica will thank Topa Management and its other holiday supporters at a luncheon on Feb. 26 at its Camarillo campus.

Carrie Hughes, Casa Pacifica development director, said more than 200 individuals and businesses large and small filled the wishes of more than 400 Casa Pacifica children, their family members and alumni during the holidays.

Hughes said she was impressed that some supporters, such as Target employees, went to great lengths to buy the exact item in the specific color the child asked for.

"I love that," Hughes said.

"The community just really reaches out to us at Christmas. . . . We wouldn't be able to do this without them."

Casa Pacifica treats abused, neglected and severely emotionally disturbed children at its Camarillo campus and through community-based services in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The nonprofit offers residential treatment, an emergency shelter, educational programs, family support, medical services and psychological treatment.

For more information about Casa Pacifica, call (805) 445-7800.