SANTA ROSA, Calif.–The third annual Birthday Benefit Bash, hosted by Redwood CU President and CEO Brett Martinez, and Mark Nelson, lead singer of Walking Mirrors Music, brought together 250 guests at HopMonk Tavern, where the sold-out event raised a total of $31,502, with all proceeds benefiting the Redwood Credit Union Community Fund (RCUCF). 

The funds will support three local nonprofits: 

• Enriching Lives Through Music (ELM)
  “We’re going to use the proceeds from RCU’s Birthday Bash Fundraiser to support our Summer Music Program,” said Andrea Lloyd, director of development for ELM. “It’s a chamber music program where students come together to play without a conductor. They need to listen to each other, take turns leading, and work together. It’s a great way for them to learn about collaboration, leadership, and other essential skills.”
• Chop’s Teen Club Music Program
  “We want to support our teens by having the right equipment, the right instruments, and professional recording tools they can use in the real world,” said Melissa Stewart, executive director of the Chop’s Teen Club. “It’s an expensive program, so to have an infusion of money to ensure it stays here and has longevity is really important to us.”
• Luther Burbank Center’s Mariachi Ensemble
  “Our Mariachi Ensemble keeps growing, and so does the need for instructors, and uniforms,” said Ashleigh Worley, director of education and community engagement for the Luther Burbank Center. “We plan to use the funds to make sure we have the staff to support this program and the crisp, beautiful traje de charro uniforms the students get to wear when they perform.”

Fun & Meaningful

“This was a fun and meaningful way for Mark and me to celebrate our birthdays while giving back to the community,” said Martinez in a statement. “Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the incredible work of these three organizations, we’re helping to inspire the next generation of musicians and artists.”

Walking Mirrors is a rock band formed in 2019 by Nelson and guitarist/producer Craig Bartock (of the band Heart), that donates proceeds from all performances to local nonprofits.

“Celebrating with my good friend Brett while supporting causes we care about is a true honor,” said Nelson in a statement. “It’s exactly what Walking Mirrors Music is all about—connecting with the community through live music.”