2-27 Chamber mixer raises funds for Redman House

please help us locate this article, thank you

2/25 Redman House cash drive starts in earnest

By JOANNE SANCHEZ
Sentinel Staff WRITER

WATSONVILLE — Just six days after the nonprofit Redman Foundation secured the title to the historic Redman-Hirahara House, foundation supporters began what they say will be an unending fund-raising effort to restore the mansion off Highway 1.

More than 100 people gathered Thursday evening for food, drinks, music and a silent auction at the Coast Commercial Bank, at 1055 South Green Valley Road, to raise money for the foundation at the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce mixer.

"The Redman House is an important landmark to Santa Cruz and Watsonville because it’s such a visible gateway into the county," said Eric Mendelson, relationship manager for the bank.
The 1.9 million acquisition of the Redman-Hirahara House means $500,000 will be needed for the first phase of the mansion’s restoration, replacing the home’s roof and foundation. But Dale Skillicorn, Redman Foundation president, said his group also seeks to support groups with similar interests.

"The house is our priority, but we want to help other historic preservation groups (too)," said Skillicorn, adding that the Castro Adobe home on Old Adobe Road needs work as well.
Although future fund-raising endeavors are tentative, Skillicorn is optimistic.

"Coast Commercial said they wanted to do this for us," he said. "We’ve had a number of businesses and individuals offering to do events for us."

2-23 Redman House Foundation buys building