Get to know some of our Redwood ambassadors as they reflect on the significance of resident appreciation and how it is reinforced through ongoing expressions of gratitude.

Three times throughout the year, Redwood celebrates its residents with Resident Appreciation Months. What do those months look like for your neighborhood(s)?

We provide our residents with a token of appreciation at Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. The corporate team at Redwood will send us small gifts to put together to deliver directly to their doors. We take this opportunity to remind residents how much we appreciate them for choosing Redwood as their place to call home. Some past examples of gifts include tote bags at Thanksgiving and Redwood engraved grilling spatulas for Fourth of July.
- Haleigh Montz – Neighborhood Manager (Redwood Batavia Tealtown Rd.)

Redwood provides a framework for the gift and a timeline for when the gift should be delivered, but our teams are also able to add their own flair before delivery. The teams really enjoy picking out additional items that they feel would be appreciated by their residents, and they even work with nearby, local vendors to add even more goodies, coupons, etc.! The teams work together to pass out the gifts to each door, often dressing up or decorating their golf carts to celebrate the occasion.
- Melissa Schneider – Regional Manager

Resident Appreciation Months are so important to our entire team! It is an opportunity to show our residents how much they mean to us while providing a meaningful way to connect with them during visits in our office or in their homes.
- Sara Dunn – Regional Manager

Our team always adds an additional personal touch to our gifts. We love to include chocolates or other treats. The residents often call to thank us or stop into the office to say how much they love the gifts. We have even had current residents stop and talk with prospective residents to encourage them to move in while bragging about how special we make them feel!
- Karol Edwards – Neighborhood Manager I (Redwood North Canton) & Aarika Thornberry – Regional Manager

What have been some of your favorite Resident Appreciation Month events, giveaways, etc.?

My favorite resident appreciation events are the ones that the onsite teams organize. These tend to be the most personal and appreciated by residents. For example, passing out treat bags for Halloween or taking around waters and drinks on the golf cart on a hot day in July. When the residents can get out in the neighborhood and receive a gift/gesture directly from the onsite team, it matters.
-Haleigh Montz – Neighborhood Manager (Redwood Batavia Tealtown Rd.)

Personally, I loved the little toiletry bags we gave out.
- Malissa Peruzzi - Neighborhood Manager II (Redwood Macomb)

One year we did car washes for a neighborhood that just came out of construction to thank our residents for dealing with our mess!
-Melissa Schneider – Regional Manager

The Valentine’s Day event where we gave out aprons that said “The Secret Ingredient is Love” was a huge hit. I thought the idea was very fun, and the teams expanded on it by providing extra goodies during the delivery.
- Sara Dunn – Regional Manager

One of our favorite resident appreciation gifts was a Redwood oven mitt – we tucked in a cookie-making kit with a spatula. Another time we passed out a Redwood grilling tool with a can of Dr. Pepper and a pre-printed recipe card for Dr. Pepper Barbeque Sauce.
- Karol Edwards – Neighborhood Manager I (Redwood North Canton) & Aarika Thornberry – Regional Manager

Redwood created a unique tradition, where each year the company surprises and delights three residents with a trip to the Redwood Forest. Can you share some details about the most recent recipients, and how you surprised them with the news?

We had the best time celebrating three lucky residents with a once-in-a-lifetime trip and experience to the Redwood Forest! First, we started with a group of local Redwood employees who visited the Redwood Neighborhood of each winner. It was a joyous occasion as we got ready to walk to their home with a giant, custom-made sign that was personalized with the winner’s name, along with flowers and balloons! We were fortunate to catch all three winners at home as we surprised them with the news. Celebrating and taking photos with the winners are some of the best days we have at Redwood. We are fortunate to have such amazing residents and our Redwood Forest Giveaway is an incredible opportunity to celebrate them.

-Aimee Rainwater, Director of Property Operations

Outside of Resident Appreciation Months, what other events, activities, and even small gestures and special touches do you do to help keep the spirit of resident appreciation alive all year?

We host quarterly events in our office – some examples include Wine Wednesday, taco bars, cookie decorating, and just recently a sip-and-paint event.
-Malissa Peruzzi - Neighborhood Manager II (Redwood Macomb)

We provide a move-in gift that includes move-in day essentials and a housewarming gift, such as wine, coffee, a houseplant, or something for their pet! We often add additional items from local vendors so they can discover some of those hidden gems in the surrounding area. We have also hosted free food truck events, cookouts, wine and canvas parties, and even a car detailing day! We have swag closets at my neighborhoods and love passing out new items to our residents when we see them out in the neighborhood. Even at move-out we provide a thank you card and Starbucks gift card to wish them well on their next adventure and thank them for choosing Redwood.
- Melissa Schneider – Regional Manager

During one of our snowstorms, we boxed up snowman cookies with a note saying, “We’re snow glad you are a Redwood resident!” and delivered to each door. We also had a “Find the Leprechaun” contest where residents followed clues to find the hidden leprechaun on the property. They sent in daily photos via email or text for a chance to win an Alexa Echo. But I think our most successful and appreciated event was our movie night behind the office. We set up a large movie screen to show Hocus Pocus, had everyone bring a chair, and offered warm blankets, hot cocoa, cider, donuts, popcorn and candy. We had most of the neighborhood attend which was a true feeling of “community!”
-Karol Edwards – Neighborhood Manager I (Redwood North Canton) & Aarika Thornberry – Regional Manager

In the summer we host a few different resident events. A unique one from last year was a boutique truck – residents loved it and had so much fun shopping. At Halloween, our team dressed up and had a little Halloween party and passed out candy. The residents got such a kick out of our Chick-fil-A costumes!
-Jessica Juric – Neighborhood Manager III (Redwood Canal Winchester)

Why is it so critical to show residents just how much you care?

We want every resident to feel like they are home and with family. Giving them nice gifts is one way of showing how we care, but also just calling residents or talking to them out in the neighborhood goes a long way. Redwood Core Value No. 6 (install family and team spirit) is not just for employees – it is something we should be trying to do with everyone. Residents at my neighborhood are part of my Redwood family and team.
-Malissa Peruzzi - Neighborhood Manager II (Redwood Macomb)

We understand that our residents have many choices when it comes to where they choose to call home, and we feel that our level of care sets us apart from the pack. When our residents have issues/questions/problems, we feel it is easier to discuss and work through solutions when we have that established relationship and rapport with each other. We truly see our residents as our “neighbors” and want to help enrich their lives and experience.
- Melissa Schneider – Regional Manager

It is so important to show residents how great of a team we have and how all of us are willing to go the extra mile. They truly appreciate our hospitality, which starts right away at their tour or prospective phone call, all the way through their move-in. We really try to make every resident feel at home, and we try to accommodate their needs to the best of our abilities.
- Jessica Juric – Neighborhood Manager III (Redwood Canal Winchester)

Our residents are the sole reason that we are here. There are many housing options, and we want them to know how much we enjoy having them call their Redwood Neighborhood home.
- Sara Dunn – Regional Manager

Is there anything else you would like to add?

In my eight years of property management, I can honestly say Redwood is one-of-a-kind. No other property management company treats their residents and employees like Redwood does. Redwood is a company with strong core values, and we truly cherish our residents.
- Haleigh Montz – Neighborhood Manager (Redwood Batavia Tealtown Rd.)

We always maintain positivity, understanding and support for our residents, who know we have an “open door” policy in our office, so they feel welcome to vent, ask questions, or just pop in to say hello.
- Karol Edwards – Neighborhood Manager I (Redwood North Canton) & Aarika Thornberry – Regional Manager

I think the best thing is to come in to work every day with a positive attitude. To always make every interaction with a prospect, applicant, and/or resident a positive experience, regardless of the situation. We always want them to know that no matter what else we have going on, we make them the priority. I think our residents can really feel that.
- Jessica Juric – Neighborhood Manager III (Redwood Canal Winchester)

To learn more about Redwood Neighborhoods, the resident experience or find out about investment opportunities with Redwood, reach out to a member of our team at 216.360.9441 or by filling out a contact form.