Some of Mill Valley’s biggest movers and shakers stepped out on the town in their finest threads last month to celebrate the 50th anniversary gala of The Redwoods, the nonprofit treasure that has provided nondenominational residence and multi-faceted support for seniors for five decades.
The event, held at The Seminary in Strawberry, was a “joyous celebration honoring the founders, community leaders, supporters, residents, families, friends and team members who did so much over the last 50+ years to make The Redwoods the gem it is today,” says The Redwoods CEO and and Mill Valley Chamber President Hunter Moore. “This year’s fundraising focus will be on completing the final portions of the revitalization of the campus, which will modernize the Redwoods to meet the needs of residents for many years to come.”
The gala was preceded by the free “Senior Prom” for the residents of The Redwoods – featuring the crowning of the prom queens – and supported by local students and members of the Mill Valley Rotary. The event, which has been a longstanding tradition at the Redwoods, was put on hold for several years because of the pandemic. But its return brought joy to all, with local high school students joining dozens of seniors for a night of dancing, laughter and fun.
The gala and “Senior Prom” served as the main events, but the celebration continued this month as the Redwoods marked its exact anniversary on Dec. 3. “We had a really fun 50th Gala to celebrate and it included many Mill Valley Chamber members and local officials,” Moore says.
While the Redwoods’ gala offered a great opportunity to support a critically important Mill Valley institution, it also provides a great chance for some local luminaries to share their fondness for the organization.
“The Redwoods is a huge part of our community. My grandmother lived there for six years and love The Redwoods.” – Jim Wickham, Mayor of Mill Valley
“The Redwoods is the largest affordable housing development in Mill Valley, so it is a treasure for all of us and an incredibly important resource for our town.” – Urban Carmel, Vice Mayor
“It is a very vital place and extends beyond it’s doors here into the Mill Valley Community.” – Bob Canepa
“What I learned when I joined The Redwoods’ Board is that a considerable amount of the housing is for moderate and low income people. I think that is a factor that not a lot of people in our community know about.” – Claire McAuliffe, Former Board Chair
“The Redwoods is designed to serve a moderate and low income population in a very high income area and that is hard to do, but they have been doing it well for 50 years.” – Hunter Moore, Chief Executive Officer
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