Mtn Bear of the Month
Meet Yolanda: More Than Just Our Club Donkey!
You may recognize Yolanda, our beloved Club Donkey Mascot, but there is so much more to this wonderful woman than just a little donkey “yee-haw!”

Yolanda joined the club in 2017 after moving up to the mountains. Like many of us, she quickly realized she needed to find her people. After seeing something about the club online, she decided to check it out—and she found a community where she felt at home.

When Yolanda first joined, the club looked a little different than it does today. The meeting location was different, the membership was different, and even the mission was slightly different. But what mattered most to Yolanda was finding a place where she could connect with people who shared her values and passion for social justice. She became an active member and truly enjoyed being part of her new mountain family.

After the passing of a longtime club member, Yolanda took some time away. Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she happened to see a small group of protesters marching for Black Lives Matter near the old Blue Jay Theater. For Yolanda, it felt like a sign—a reminder that she needed to find her people again. She returned to the club and has been an active and dedicated member ever since.

If there is a project, event, march, or community activity, chances are Yolanda will be there. She is often one of the first people to volunteer, arrives early to help set up, and is still there when it’s time to clean up. Over the years, she has participated in marches, Farmers Market events, parades, voter registration efforts at the high school and local post offices, and countless other club activities.

Yolanda also took on the responsibility of organizing the Glenn Thompson Award, a role that holds special meaning for her because of how fondly she remembers Glenn.

But perhaps what makes Yolanda most special isn’t everything she does—it’s the way she makes people feel. She greets everyone with a warm “Hello!” and a big smile. Her laugh is contagious, and her heart is just as big.

Thank you, Yolanda, for your incredible spirit, friendship, dedication, and willingness to always show up for your community. We are so grateful you found your people—and that you continue to be one of ours!