The Crowder Family – Giving Back

Jesse Crowder grew up in Guerneville and attended El Molino High school and now works as a Superintendent for a high-end construction management company called Westwind Construction.

Tory Crowder attended Rancho Cotati High School and works for Truett Hurst Winery as their Director of Human Resources/Business Partner.

Jesse, Tory and Grace love anything outdoors. They really enjoy camping as a family. They spend all spring and summer exploring new campgrounds in their fifth wheel. Along the way, they have built a really tight-knit camping family and there are now over 15 families that camp together throughout the year.

They especially love Lake Tahoe. “We are big Disney fans! We have gone to Disneyland or Disney World every year up until the pandemic. We are FINALLY able to go back this November to celebrate mine and Gracie’s birthdays. We cannot wait!” exclaims Tory.

Most of our volunteer work is done with Operation Christmas Tree.

The Crowders attend Spring Hills Church and, although they don’t consider themselves extremely religious, they do tell me that God has really carried them through some hard, dark  times. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without our Faith in God.

We have a lot to be thankful for in this life, even in the hard times. It is our mission to spread love and kindness and to help others where we can.” says Tory.

Perhaps it is their faith, or maybe because they have experienced their own hard times, that the Crowders have such a kind and giving spirit. They are the founders of ‘Operation Christmas Tree’, a very local foundation that helps local Sonoma county families, who can’t afford to have Christmas. “We help to provide their families with a tree, decorations and even presents for under the tree!” You can read more about the amazing ‘Operation Christmas Tree’ in this month’s charity spotlight.

Although most of their volunteer efforts go toward ‘Operation Christmas Tree’, Tory says, “Any opportunity we  get to help out in the community, we take it!!”

One of their most treasured family days is exploring an amazing apple orchard in Sebastopol with Farm to Pantry and picking apples. “We LOVE what Farm to Pantry is doing for our community and love to support them, however we can. Duskie Estes, Chef, owner of Black Pig Meat Co. and Executive Director of Food To Pantry. is definitely our hero and has become a major partner with Operation Christmas Tree.” Tory tells me.

Like many parents, Grace, the daughter of Tory and Jesse is the apple of their eye. They certainly have earned some bragging rights with this sweet little girl. “Grace loves to hip-hop dance, play soccer, go horseback riding and loves to swim.”

This summer Grace went to the gym with her Mom most mornings and swam laps with the seniors. “It was her goal to master swimming with the hope to join a swim team soon.  She is a little actress and performer in the making. I swear she should have her own show!   She loves school and her favorite subject is math. Grace is a very old soul with a kind heart. We learn so much from her every day.” Tory gushes.

Tory continues “Gracie ran a flower stand for a few weekends in Spring 2021.  She gathered bouquets from Haystack Farm Sonoma (where our tree farm is located) and pulled them down to the Vintana park in her wagon. She set up a makeshift flower stand and stood on the corner with a sign that said “Free Flowers Just to Make You Smile.” So many of our neighbors stopped by to meet Gracie and support her. We witnessed So many smiles that day and set up again on Easter that year. It was awesome!”

The Crowders live in the neighborhood of Vintana in Windsor. Tory tells me, “Vintana is a wonderful place to live for anyone. We have so many families, but also many seniors. Everyone is so friendly and our neighbors have become a part of our family. It is a great community of people who all watch out for each other. Everyone supports each other. There are children selling lemonade or snacks almost every week. You will see the neighbors lined up to support them and even last week we saw the fire truck out there. The kids here are awesome! WE LOVE WINDSOR! This is home and we can’t imagine living anywhere else. This is a small but mighty community and we are so proud to be a part of it.”

The Crowders  have two dogs and a bunny; Nala, a yorkie mix, they have had for 5.5 years. She is a rescue from Dogma Animal Rescue, another one of their favorite Sonoma County nonprofits. Maple, a goldendoodle, who is 1.5 years old. She is goofy dog who makes them laugh all the time. “She is the absolute sweetest!” says Tory. Oreo is their pet  bunny. Santa brought her for Gracie last year. “She has become more like a cat.”  says Tory. “She plays with the dogs and loves to roam our yard and eat all the plants.”

“We love Windsor! We were living in Rohnert Park but wanted to be closer to my parents, who are also Vitana residents. They have lived in Windsor for 18 years.” Tory shares.

When asked what is special about their family, the Crowders say “We are just a normal family, nothing that interesting. We are just three people trying to do our part in this world. I think the most special story for our family is the story of ‘Operation Christmas Tree’, a simple idea our family had, that our beautiful community helped us bring to life. It is true magic. Kindness is doing what you can, where you are, with what you have.  Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person.”

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