Thank you for celebrating Willow Glen Neighborhood Associations 50th Anniversary with us! 

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 3:30pm to 6pm     Location:  Garden Theater, 1165 Lincoln Ave

Light appetizers and wine/beer were served. Live Music by Gaelic Muses.

3:30pm Welcome and Certificate Presentation from Senator Dave Cortese

4:00 Award Presentation from County Supervisors Susan Ellenberg's and Cindy Chavez's Offices

5:00pm Toast & Remarks

5:15pm Commendation from Mayor Mahan

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association was founded by Dave Fitting, Jack Stallard, Hannah Kennedy, Becky Worsham, Margie Schumb, and Charlene Bunas in 1973.  "WGNA was formed to “fight city hall” and the plans to cut thoroughfares through the neighborhood just to improve access to the suburbs". Watch WGNA Board Member Pierluigi Oliverio interview Dave Fitting.

Carol Ditting, Dave Ditting’s wife remembers that “Dave & Jack were prepared to lie down in front of bulldozers should they have begun construction to further widen Cherry Ave”.

We are so appreciative of these founders and all the board members of the last 50 years which helped make the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association a vibrant neighborhood organization committed to beautifying and improving the life of residents in Willow Glen.

I would also like to recognize Lawrence Ames who couldn’t be with us today as a former board president and 20-year board member.

I would also like to thank our Board for working tirelessly to make this event happen.  A special thanks to Mary and Helen for arranging the catering and set up, Maren for the membership table and picture board, Kathleen for designing our 50th logo, and Pierluigi, Mitch, and Jose for helping to set up today.

Thank you all for your time and commitment to this organization. 

A special thanks to SDS NexGen and the Mulcahy Family for allowing us to use the Garden Theater for this event.  We appreciate your generosity and flexibility.

Thank you Shannon and Nicholas Adams as well as Michele and Steve Wymer for your generous donations to the organization.  Their donations helped make this anniversary party happen!

I would also like to recognize Republic Urban and Goodwill Silicon Valley as generous supporters as well as sponsors of our organization over the years.  We worked closely with Republic Urban to install the iconic lighted clock on their building and they also help sponsor our National Night Out event which is Tuesday, August 1 of this year.  Goodwill has been a valued longtime supporter and designed and provided our banners today, as well as sponsored our events such as Dumpster Day and National Night Out.  We can thank Goodwill for the Giant Slide and Face Painter at our National Night Out event. 

We also appreciate our relationship with Willow Glen Business Association.  They have been a vital supporter and ally.

- De Anna Mirzadegan, WGNA President