Redwoods champions gather virtually to celebrate the League’s work
More than a thousand redwoods champions joined Save the Redwoods League for its virtual Take Me to the Trees celebration last Saturday evening, raising more than $676,000 for the League’s parks programs. The event showcased videos, songs, storytelling, and an outpouring of love for the coast redwood and giant sequoia landscapes so dear to us all.
Though the event has passed, you can visit the event website to watch the video and make a donation.
“I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to connect with you all, even virtually, to step out of our isolation for just a minute and remember the beauty, the resilience, and the community that is our redwood forest and the league of people working to save it,” said League President and CEO Sam Hodder at the opening of the event. “We hold this celebration each year in support of our parks program and our work to connect people to the beauty and power of the coast redwood and giant sequoia forests. So this evening we will give you a glimpse into that grandeur that the League has worked for 102 years to protect for the benefit of all of us.”
Musical performances kept the evening bouncing. Country artist and Grammy Awards nominee Cam performed her song “Redwood Tree” to the audience’s delight. Globally recognized musician, humanitarian, activist, and award-winning filmmaker, Michael Franti also contributed great tunes that probably got some viewers on their feet.
Attendees also watched a moving video about the League’s parks program.
Event Co-chairs Rosemary Cameron and Allegra Krasznekewicz spoke movingly about the need to support the League, and thanked Honorary Chair Mary Wright for her dedicated work on behalf of the League.
Virtual attendees tuned in from more than 40 U.S. states, as well as London, England, and Porsgrunn, Norway.
Donations during the evening stemmed from event sponsorships, a live auction for fantastic vacation experiences, the fund-a-need program, and a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind redwoods adventures.
The League wishes to also recognize its Celebration Committee, without whose help, none of this would have been possible. Members include Amy Berler, Carolyn Sherwood Call, Caitlyn Fox, Sandy Gibson, Colby Hastings, Sam Hodges, Walker Kirby, Lisa Ortiz, Katie Prescott, Ethan Ravage, Heidi Richardson, Jim Sergi, Julia Sherwin, Rich Wendling, Mark Wentworth, and John Young.
Our presenting sponsor for the evening was the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. For a full list of all our wonderful sponsors and partners of the evening, please visit our event page.
