When disaster struck the San Lorenzo Valley in 2020, Tonje Switzer didn’t hesitate. Even as her own home was consumed by flames during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, she was in the Pogonip area, distributing evacuation maps and fire updates to ensure unhoused neighbors made it to safety. Her resilience, generosity, bravery, and community leadership all exemplify the Valley’s spirit—and they are the key reasons she has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the Green Heart Award, an honor named for Mountain Community Resources’ late founder, Mary Hammer.

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.

Tonje, the former operations manager of the Community Bridges Family Resource Collective and current Executive Director of the Long-Term Recovery Group of Santa Cruz County, will be honored with this award at the 40th Annual Mountain Affair on Friday, October 24, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at Highlands Park Senior & Community Center in Ben Lomond.

Started four decades ago as a grassroots fundraiser, the Mountain Affair was created as a way for San Lorenzo Valley neighbors to rally together and support Mountain Community Resources (MCR), a local family resource center. Year after year, the event has grown into one of the Valley’s most cherished traditions, bringing together community leaders, families, and friends to raise critical funds and celebrate local resilience. This year, as the event marks its 40th anniversary, it will once again live up to MCR’s founding promise: neighbors coming together to lift one another up in the toughest times.

5 Years Later: Lessons in Resilience and Community Strength

This year’s Mountain Affair arrives on the fifth anniversary of the CZU Lightning Complex Fires—a disaster that forever changed the Valley. The fire burned more than 86,000 acres, destroyed over 1,400 structures, and displaced thousands of residents. For weeks, families lived in evacuation shelters, cars, or with friends, unsure if they would have a home to return to. Mountain Community Resources was on the front lines of the response, providing emergency food, financial assistance, crisis navigation, and long-term recovery support. That commitment continues to this day, as MCR helps survivors rebuild while preparing the Valley for future disasters.

Tonje’s own journey reflects both the pain of that fire and the possibility of renewal. Even as she worked to coordinate disaster recovery for others, she faced the reality of rebuilding her own home. Rather than rebuild in silence, she used her experience as an opportunity to share solutions with the community, opening her doors to demonstrate pre-fabricated passive house technology and showing how families could rebuild with more efficient and resilient materials.

Her leadership extends far beyond the Valley. A native of Norway, Tonje first arrived in Santa Cruz through the Homeless Garden Project before transferring to UC Santa Cruz to complete a sociology degree. She participated in the Everett Program for Technology and Social Change, a year-long applied project development course that partners students with local nonprofits. Today, she serves on the board of the Firesafe Council of Santa Cruz County and as an executive member of the Northern California VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters), bringing her expertise in home hardening, coalition-building, and community resilience to the regional stage.

“We must move beyond reacting to a crisis by proactively designing viable paths to recovery that incorporate lessons learned, emphasize coalition building, and that prioritize the holistic well-being of impacted communities,” says Tonje. “This will ensure that rebuilding isn’t just about structures but about restoring lives with dignity and empathy.”

Funds raised at the 40th Mountain Affair will help feed thousands of our San Lorenzo Valley neighbors.

An Unforgettable Evening for a Critical Cause

From fine dining to heartfelt giving, here’s what makes this celebration so special:

  • Savor a multi-course Italian feast crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients by Chef Marina Camarlinghi of Barbara & Company Catering—carrying on three generations of local culinary tradition.
  • Raise a glass with wines from Alfaro Family Vineyards, a true taste of the Valley’s best.
  • Enjoy live music that will fill the night with energy, connection, and celebration.
  • Bid on one-of-a-kind treasures in our silent auction featuring local businesses and artisans.
  • Make an impact during the Fund-a-Need pledge drive, where every dollar fuels crisis support, food distribution, counseling, and disaster preparedness for Valley neighbors.

This year, the need is especially urgent. Families throughout the Valley are bracing for the impact of cuts to Medi-Cal and SNAP benefits, while one-time funding that kept showers and lockers open for unhoused neighbors has expired. These changes mean more households are struggling to meet their most basic needs. Mountain Community Resources remains a lifeline for more than 3,000 local residents each year—but only with the community’s continued support.

“Forty years of Mountain Affair reflects something extraordinary about this community,” said Community Bridges CEO Raymon Cancino. “From the very beginning, San Lorenzo Valley residents recognized that neighbors needed a place to turn in times of crisis. This event has helped keep those doors open for generations of families.”

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.”

Raise a Glass. Share a Meal. Give Back.

By purchasing a ticket, sponsoring the event, or making a direct donation, you are investing directly in your neighbors—ensuring that no family has to face crisis alone. Every seat filled, every table sponsored, and every pledge made at Mountain Affair strengthens the safety net that Mountain Community Resources provides for more than 3,000 Valley residents each year.

Ticket Options:

  • Individual Ticket – $125: Hearty appetizers, hosted wine bar, live music, and access to the silent auction.
  • VIP Table for Eight – $1,000: Includes admission for 8 guests plus a reserved table with wine service.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

  • Mountain Event Sponsor – $500: Includes 2 complimentary tickets, name/logo prominently displayed on event promotions, and recognition on Community Bridges social media accounts.
  • Redwood Event Sponsor – $250: Includes 1 complimentary ticket, name/logo prominently displayed on event promotions, and recognition on Community Bridges social media accounts.

✨ Be part of this milestone celebration.
✨ Honor the heart of our community.
✨ Help keep hope alive for the next 40 years.

To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, and learn more, visit CommunityBridges.org/MountainAffair or call 831-688-8840 ext. 205.

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