Thank you for joining us at the 40th Annual Mountain Affair at Highlands Park Senior & Community Center in Ben Lomond. It was a wonderful evening of connection, celebration, and community spirit—all benefiting Mountain Community Resources (MCR).
Together, we raised critical funds to support essential services that strengthen families and uplift our San Lorenzo Valley neighbors. From food distributions and counseling to housing navigation, parent education, and disaster recovery, your generosity ensures that more than 1,200 local residents each year have a trusted place to turn when times get tough.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, and sponsored this milestone event. Your support keeps our community strong and ensures that MCR can continue building safe, healthy, and compassionate mountain communities for generations to come.
Event Sponsors: Abbot’s Thrift • Felton Veterinary Hospital • Liberty Bank • Santa Cruz Community Health • Santa Cruz Moose Lodge • Ken Meshke & Barbara Sprenger of Satellite Telework Centers • Wedeen Hammer Locatelli Group
Media Partners: Lookout Santa Cruz • Press Banner • Santa Cruz Voice
Wine Sponsors: Alfaro Family Vineyards • Armitage Winery • Kissed by an Angel Wines • Tere Carrubba • Cathe Race • Ray & Trisha Cancino
Thank you for helping us celebrate 40 years of community resilience.
Learn more about our ongoing work and how you can stay involved at communitybridges.org/mcr.
![[c]Virginia Sajan](https://communitybridges.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/DSC_4796-qvd2r6qcxjl1idpn475i3ekhpbfzwi4z1ry0d1oyo8.jpg)
![[c]Virginia Sajan](https://communitybridges.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/DSC_4839-qvd2t81rqmdenyr582uehw2g1demkw81butvsmo96w.jpg)
![[c]Virginia Sajan](https://communitybridges.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/DSC_4848-qvd2tbt4hyijyelom4gwrv4aeww3fomyodftpqioi0.jpg)
Carrying on three generations of local culinary tradition, Chef Marina Camarlinghi of Barbara & Company Catering will bring an Italian-inspired feast to the Mountain Affair’s 40th celebration. Known for her artistry in blending rustic flavors with refined presentation, Chef Marina has designed a multi-course menu crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from our local farms and producers. Each dish will be paired with wines from Alfaro Family Vineyards, highlighting the rich flavors of our region. Guests can look forward to a dining experience that is not only delicious but also a tribute to the land and community we share.
No Mountain Affair is complete without music to bring us together, and this year we are thrilled to welcome back a local favorite. Celebrated singer-songwriter Gary Blackburn will once again fill the redwoods with his signature blend of country, rock, folk, and blues — what he proudly calls “Americana with an Edge.” Gary’s soulful voice and heartfelt storytelling have made him a beloved performer throughout the Central Coast, and by popular demand, he returns to the Mountain Affair stage to help us celebrate 40 years of community. His set promises to keep the dance floor lively, the energy high, and the spirit of San Lorenzo Valley shining throughout the evening.
The Green Heart Award honors individuals whose compassion, resilience, and dedication help keep our valley strong. This year, we are proud to recognize Tonje Switzer as the 2025 recipient. When the CZU Fire tore through the San Lorenzo Valley, Tonje lost her own home — yet even in the face of personal loss, she turned outward to help others. From supporting evacuations to lending a hand in the long road of recovery and rebuilding, Tonje’s leadership and generosity embody the very best of community care. Her story is a reminder that the strength of our valley lies in the neighbors who show up for one another when it matters most. Join us in celebrating Tonje’s remarkable contributions and honoring her as this year’s Green Heart Award winner.
Fifty years at the doorstep: Why Meals on Wheels matters more than ever—and how you can help
lookout.co
Every weekday morning across Santa Cruz County, a quiet rhythm unfolds. Meals are prepared and packed. Delivery routes are mapped. Volunteers gather their keys and checklists. Then, one by one, the do...
Celebrating 50 Years of Support
Join us at Food From the Heart to honor this legacy and support the future of senior care.
Celebrating 50 Years of Support
Join us at Food From the Heart to honor this legacy and support the future of senior care.
Every Family Needs a Plan
Urge the Attorney General to adopt California’s Childcare Safety Plan.
This
Strengthen
Our Roots
Since 1977, your generosity has helped our community grow stronger.
