The Sunriver Neighborhood Association recently celebrated their 25th anniversary with dinner, music and a movie at dusk. Photo by Rick Sloan

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - What began 25 years ago with a neighborhood burglary and a few concerned neighbors has grown into a lasting tradition of friendship, volunteerism and community in Sunriver.

In the fall of 2000, Troy and Heidi Konarski began going door-to-door after their home was burglarized, inviting neighbors to gather and form a Neighborhood Watch. Ray Fox saw an opportunity to expand that effort throughout the entire Sunriver development. Along with Troy Konarski, Craig Osborn and the late Carl Steiner, Ray helped establish what would become the Sunriver Neighborhood Association (SNA), laying the foundation for the community that would grow in the years that followed.

In 2002, Dave and Jessica Ocenosak moved to Sunriver. Jessica soon began building events that would become the heart of SNA's community activities and beloved traditions; Santa's annual arrival by fire truck, Christmas Caroling, Easter Egg Hunt and Dinner & Movie in the Park. For more than two decades, these events have provided opportunities for neighbors and families to gather, celebrate and build lasting friendships.

Vice Mayor Linda Budge (far left) and Councilmember David M. Sander (far right) present Sunriver Neighborhood Association with a proclamation from the City of Rancho Cordova during the organization’s 25th anniversary celebration. Photo by Rick Sloan

The Sunriver Sentinel, originally created by Ray Fox, has also become an important connection among neighbors. Deanne Sherman devoted many years to producing the newsletter, while Pam Britton organizes volunteers to hand-deliver it throughout the neighborhood. Today, the Sentinel reaches more than 1,000 homes, including the Trinity Woods condominium community.

Other longtime volunteers played equally important roles. Mike Britton has delighted generations of children as Sunriver's beloved Santa for 18 years, while Pam has dedicated countless hours to neighborhood events. Ginger Enrico served for many years as SNA's liaison to the American River Parkway Coalition, representing Sunriver and strengthening its connection with the broader community.

SNA has always been more than events and newsletters. It has been about neighbors looking out for one another, lending a hand and creating a genuine sense of community.

They recently celebrated their 25th anniversary with dinner, music and a movie at dusk. The volunteer association began with a simple goal: helping neighbors look out for one another. What followed was something much greater—the story of how a subdivision became a neighborhood.

As the association looks toward the next 25 years, that goal remains the same: Bringing Neighbors Together.