By Linda Whitmore
Endorsements by city leaders encapsulate the breadth of service provided to the Silverton community by Denny and Genie Stoll, recipients of this year’s First Citizen Award, however, much of the tribute is unspoken, but felt, in the lives of people their work has touched.
“They’re both deserving of individual awards, but a joint nomination seems appropriate because much of what they do, they do as a team,” wrote City Manager Bryan Cosgrove.
The Stolls have been active in both the business and government realms, sometimes individually and sometimes as a couple. “We both feel it is our way of being involved and giving back to our community,” said Denny. Helping out is personally satisfying too, he said. “I feel a sense of accomplishment when I look back over the years of our service to the community.”
Denny Stoll has served more than nine years as a city councilor, including a term as council president. He also serves on the Silverton Budget Committee. “The opportunity of meeting and working with other elected officials throughout the state has fostered many friendships,” Denny said. His wife concurred, “Absolutely. The number of fiends we have made along the way have been countless and we value all of them.”
Former Mayor Ken Hector noted in his nomination that Denny also has been a part of the YMCA board and was president of The Oregon Garden Foundation. “As chairperson of the Oregon Garden Foundation Board I will continue to work to make The Oregon Garden the best it can be,” he said of his future plans.
Genie has been on the board of directors of Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce for many years, including serving as president. She “was instrumental in founding Ladies Night Out and taking the Flower Basket program to a new level,” Hector said.
Hector also recognized the Stolls’ “remarkable” involvement with the Mayor’s Ball, especially the auction, saying their efforts resulted in bringing the event’s proceeds from about $5,000 to more than $60,000. In addition, he said, the Stolls donated the alcohol for the ball, and for events that arose from the ball.
The Stolls, wrote Cosgrove in his nomination, “have helped make the Mayor’s Ball such a huge success in Silverton, and boon to Silverton’s many non-profits and community groups.”
Their fundraising efforts also include helping the YMCA, Silverton Together’s annual family holiday celebration and The Oregon Garden.
Cosgrove said, Denny “is instrumental in the current efforts to establish an endowment committee for the Oregon Garden Foundation. Most recently, he was instrumental in developing the Jingle Bells Ball to help raise money for the Foundation.” The December event raised nearly $10,000 for the Children’s Garden. Genie also has been an Oregon Garden volunteer.
Hector recounted that Denny’s early volunteer involvement began with youth when he was coach for both Little League baseball and Boys and Girls Club basketball. He also has been a youth mentor with the Starfish Program at Mark Twain School. The YMCA program benefitted when they initiated the Martini Party fundraiser, “which proved to be a very valuable fundraiser,” said Hector.
Genie was a founding member of the Youth Leadership Program in Silverton “including spearheading the effort that resulted in the construction of the city entry on Cascade Highway near The Oregon Garden entrance.
Nominators for the award said the Stolls could be counted on for their support of so many local events and services – from setting up and taking down tables and chairs to marketing and promoting events, from distributing food for the city’s drive for SACA to participating in Senior Clean-Up Day in April. They’ve helped assemble playground equipment in Coolidge & McClaine Park and helped paint the Main Street bridge over Silver Creek.
“In addition to these more visible areas of service,” said Hector, “For many years they have worked, donated and assisted quietly in helping those in need, be it individuals or organizations.”
Their accomplishments are many and arise from a feeling of doing whatever they can to help make Silverton a better place.
“It is easy to sit back, criticize and complain,” Genie said. “However, being involved affords you the opportunity to give back to the community.” Denny said, in the future he plans “To stay involved and continue to explore new ideas.”
Wrapping up his written endorsement of the couple for Silverton’s most prestigious honor, Hector said, “I have had the opportunity to observe first hand many of their good works. Both individually and together, their dedication and commitment to Silverton have been exemplary, and their actions will continue to benefit Silverton for many years to come.”
