San Lorenzo Valley, CA — Tickets are now available for the 39th Annual Mountain Affair, an evening celebrating the strength, unity, and resilience of our valley communities. The event will take place on Friday, October 25, from 5-9pm at the Highlands Park Senior & Community Center in Ben Lomond, benefiting Mountain Community Resources (MCR), a program of Community Bridges.
The long-standing and celebrated event promises a night of fine dining, local wines, live music, and a silent auction featuring the best of what our valley has to offer. One highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Green Heart Award, which recognizes outstanding community volunteers who have gone above and beyond in supporting local families. This award, first given to MCR founder Mary Hammer in 2010, honors the legacy of volunteerism in our region.
Every dollar raised during the Mountain Affair supports essential services for more than 1,000 local residents, helping them meet basic needs, recover from disasters, and build brighter futures. Proceeds fund crucial programs including:
- Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Response: CERT training and resources to keep our community safe during disasters.
- Food Distribution: Partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide supplemental groceries every Thursday.
- Mental Health Counseling: Free mental health counseling and stress management services for individuals and families.
- East West Natural Health Clinic: Providing health screenings and alternative therapies such as acupuncture.
- Parent Education: Empowering families through classes and one-on-one support.
- Public Benefits Enrollment Assistance: Helping residents access programs like CalFresh, MediCal, and CoveredCA.
- Community Advocacy: Bi-lingual, bi-cultural support for housing, employment, education, and childcare.
- Showers, Laundry & Hygiene Services: Offering complimentary hygiene services to ensure everyone has the chance to refresh and renew.
Over the past year, MCR has distributed nearly 9,000 bags of food to 600 local residents and provided over 2,000 hours of crisis support to more than 800 families. Additionally, over 200 individuals have accessed the center’s drop-in services, including showers, laundry, phone and computer access, and the food and clothing pantry. In their search for safety, stability, and warmth, these residents received more than 800 essential items, such as blankets, ponchos, coats, bedding, and socks.
This year’s Mountain Affair goes beyond a typical celebration—it’s a true demonstration of community unity. Hosted in the heart of the San Lorenzo Valley, the event showcases the collaboration between MCR’s parent organization, Community Bridges, and Highlands Park Senior & Community Center. Co-located at the Highlands County Park site, together we make a meaningful impact by providing essential services like nutritious meals to local seniors through Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz, as well as offering high-quality childcare through the Highlands Park Early Education Center.
The Highlands Park Senior & Community Center recently received significant funding, thanks to the advocacy of Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, to support a series of improvements. Planned upgrades include a new front door and ADA-compliant restrooms, which will enhance accessibility for the seniors who frequent the center. Additionally, the facility has upgraded its Wi-Fi capabilities, making it an ideal space for hosting meetings, celebrations, concerts, art exhibits, classes, and events for up to 250 attendees. In addition, the center received funding from Pacific, Gas & Electric to ensure it has a generator to remain open during times of emergency.
Tickets for the Mountain Affair are available online at communitybridges.org/events for $125 per person. All proceeds directly support Mountain Community Resources and the vital services they provide to the valley.
How to Get Involved:
- Sponsorship Opportunities: Showcase your brand and support your community. Sponsorship packets are available online.
- Donate an Auction Item: Contribute products or services to our silent auction and make a difference.
- Volunteer: Join the team and help make the event a success.
For more information on sponsorship, auction donations, or volunteer opportunities, please contact us at donations@cbridges.org, call (831) 688-8840 ext. 205, or visit communitybridges.org/events.
ABOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Mountain Community Resources (MCR), a program of Community Bridges, is a local family resource center serving the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley communities since 1982. We offer a network of programs and services designed to help people thrive. We work directly with individuals and families to build a strong community.
ABOUT COMMUNITY BRIDGES
Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Together, our family of programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life. To learn more, please visit www.communitybridges.org.
