Valentine’s Day weekend in Temecula began with an inspiring celebration of community, generosity, and healthy living at the Vibe & Thrive event hosted by Vail Headquarters.
This vibrant community gathering brought together families, local businesses, and organizations for a day filled with music, creativity, and connection. With numerous vendors, a lively DJ, and a steady flow of visitors throughout the day, the event created the perfect atmosphere to kick off Valentine’s Day 2026 in a meaningful and joyful way.
Supporting a Growing Mission
We were deeply honored that Vlada’s Seeds of Life was chosen as the beneficiary of this special event.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the community and everyone who attended, over $1,700 was raised to support our mission. These funds are already being used to help cover seed shipping costs to public libraries across the United States, allowing us to continue expanding access to rare heirloom seeds and promoting healthier lifestyles nationwide.
The event also gave our team the opportunity to donate and distribute a large number of free seeds to local families. Sharing seeds and talking about gardening, sustainability, and healthier eating habits with community members was one of the most rewarding parts of the day.
Seeing the excitement from families eager to start their own gardens reminded us why programs like Little Sproutscontinue to grow.
Growing a Community Tree Together
One of the most memorable highlights of the event was a creative activity organized by our soon-to-be new president, Silvia Higuera-Backlund.
Silvia created a special “Community Tree” painting experience, inviting guests of all ages to contribute to a collaborative artwork. Participants added their own colorful fingerprints and brushstrokes to the growing tree, symbolizing how every individual plays a role in strengthening the community.
Watching the tree come to life throughout the day was both exciting and meaningful—each new participant literally helping “grow” the community tree.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to Silvia for helping prepare for the event and for involving several local businesses who generously contributed donations to make the day even more successful:
- Burgers & Beer
- Noras empanadas
- Beaus n Bellas
- Chaski Creations
- Artorable Fun Art
- Cork Divine
- Stage & Skulls
Gratitude for Our Volunteers
Events like this are only possible because of the dedication of incredible volunteers.
A heartfelt thank you goes to:
- Elisa DeCristo
- Lorena Aguilar
- Silvia Higuera-Backlund
Their help before, during, and after the event made a tremendous difference. From assisting with setup and community engagement to helping distribute seeds and support visitors, their time, energy, and heart made the entire day run smoothly.
A Community That Cares
Most importantly, we want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Vail Headquarters and the amazing team behind the Vibe & Thrive event for organizing such a thoughtful community fundraiser.
Because of this beautiful gathering, we are able to continue our work of helping families across the country grow their own food, reconnect with nature, and make healthier choices.
Events like this remind us that positive change truly begins at the community level. When people come together with generosity and purpose, amazing things can grow.