Russian Riverkeeper’s 2026 Ripp’n River Bash brought 200 guests to Appellation in Healdsburg on October 3. Together, we raised more than $720,000 raised at the Bash, plus a separately announced $500,000 grant by Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore, and brought the support that evening to more than $1.2 million.
But the story of this Bash reaches well beyond the dollars raised. It is a story about the people who imagined what this gathering could become—and the community that brought that vision to life.
Two women helped shape that journey: Karen Kline and Jill Young.
L: Karen Kline, R: Jill Young
Jill Young joined the Russian Riverkeeper community with her first donation in 2013. As a longtime board member, she has contributed her design, marketing, and communications skills to build awareness of the Bash and invite more people into the work of caring for our river. Her creativity helped give the event an identity and a growing community around it.
Karen Kline joined the community with her first donation in 2015 and became Russian Riverkeeper’s first volunteer Development Director in 2017. She brought fundraising experience, ambition, and a vision for growth.
Before Karen joined the board, the annual fundraiser took place in the hall at Shone Farm, where even the scent of horses was part of the experience. After her first event, she carpooled home with Howard Wollner, and Karen’s wheels began turning. She later teamed up with Jill and brought a proposal to the board: elevate the evening, increase the ticket price to $350, and—yes—serve oysters.
Together, Karen and Jill saw the possibility of an event that could bring more people into Russian Riverkeeper’s mission and inspire greater support for its future. During her time with the organization, Karen earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential and helped hire its first paid Development Director, strengthening the foundation for continued growth.
At this year’s Bash, we recognized Karen’s contributions. Her dream of seeing the event raise $1 million came into view through the extraordinary generosity in the room, alongside the separate grant announcement.
Community Support for the Russian River
That room reflected how far this community has grown. Tribal leaders, local elected officials, business owners, conservation partners, longtime supporters, and new friends gathered around a shared commitment to the Russian River. Keynote speaker Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Company offered another example of how local businesses can turn their connection to the river into meaningful action.
This support will help remove trash, restore native habitat, address invasive plants, and advocate for clean water throughout the watershed.
To Karen, Jill, and everyone who helped build this gathering over the years: thank you. And to everyone who joined us this year, your generosity carries that vision forward.
We invite you to stay involved, join a cleanup, and help write the river’s next chapter. Our next Ripp’n River Bash will take place on October 2, 2027.
