PHILANTHROPISTS—Keets and Hugh Cassar, with Mia and Maisie, in their Hidden Valley home. The Cassars have been ardent supporters of Casa Pacifica, a Camarillo-based nonprofit that aids abused children. They have hosted fundraising receptions at their 40-acre estate. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers As she dashed through the lobby to a board of directors meeting at Casa Pacifica in Camarillo, Keets Cassar encountered a 14-year-old boy who, unprompted, wished her a nice day.

“I stopped in my tracks,” Cassar said.

The 73 children who live at Casa Pacifica, a provider of children’s mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, have suffered extreme trauma at home.

“Most of the time these children . . . are so wounded that it’s hard to get them to look you in the eye, much less say anything to you,” Cassar said. “You kind of learn not to expect to get any feedback. . . . It’s beyond comprehension what some of these kids have been through.”

Thousand Oaks resident Cassar and her husband of 30 years, Hugh Cassar, have supported Casa Pacifica for the past five years. In addition to giving thousand of dollars in financial support, Keets Cassar also serves on the organization’s board of directors and assists as a volunteer in various capacities.

The mother of six has helped organize the annual Angels Ball—one of Casa Pacifica’s largest fundraisers (see box at right)—makes decorations for different events and works on fundraising committees.

“It is such a great organization,” Cassar said. “In their field, they’re very highly thought of and very respected. It’s also a model in some cases on how to run such an organization.”

Casa Pacifica is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility in Camarillo for abused, neglected or at-risk children, and serves Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Through its therapeutic programs, a mobile crisis unit and satellite offices, Casa Pacifica helps 400 children and their families every day.

Patricia Cordover, a longtime friend, introduced the Cassars to Casa Pacifica in 2008. Cordover has been a Casa Pacifica volunteer since 2002 and is president of its volunteer fundraising group, the Angels.

“She’s a very giving . . . and very gracious person,” Cordover said of Cassar.

In 2008, the Cassars opened up their Hidden Valley home, which sits on 40 acres at the base of Boney Mountain, to serve as a reception venue for donors. Some 150 people turned out for the occasion.

Hugh Cassar, a certified public accountant, met his wife 34 years ago, not long after moving to the Conejo Valley.

The couple were married four years later.

Between them, they have 11 grandchildren and six adult children— Keets’ two sons and Hugh’s three sons and one daughter. In December, they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary.

Hugh, a native of Malta, started his successful tobacco importing business in 1982 in Moorpark. He serves as the Maltese consul general for the Los Angeles region.

Keets comes from a military family, growing up across the country and in the Philippines and Japan. She is an interior designer by trade.

Hugh is a member of the donor adviser board for UCLA Foundation’s Dream Fund. In November, the fund awarded Casa Pacifica a $25,000 grant.

Carrie Hughes, Casa Pacifica spokesperson, credits Hugh Cassar with the grant because he told the board about the nonprofit’s work and need for funds.

“We’re very grateful and fortunate to have such compassionate, dedicated, loving and generous partners and friends,” Hughes said of the Cassars. “They’re really wonderful people.”

When they’re not helping Casa Pacifica, the Cassars support other charities.

Through the Cassar Family Foundation and an annual charity golf tournament sponsored by their business, the couple has donated to the American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri Counties and the Wellness Community Valley/Ventura. In 2008 and 2009, Casa Pacifica was the tournament recipient, receiving a $40,000 donation each year

The Cassars have been recognized for their work. Last month, the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce named them Philanthropists of the Year. In 2010, they were given the Guardian Angel Award at the Angels Ball.

“That was a surprise,” Hugh Cassar said.

“That was only because of my wife,” he said with a grin. “Me, I’m not worth anything. I just pay the bills.”

Keets Cassar said she enjoys her work with Casa Pacifica and praised the board of directors for being personally involved in promoting the nonprofit’s lifechanging cause.

For example, one board member is a developer who is contributing to one of Casa Pacifica’s latest endeavors—renovating structures on its Camarillo campus to provide housing for youths aging out of the county’s foster care system.

“One of the positive things that have come out of my participation is meeting such wonderful, wonderful people,” Cassar said.