Karen Garst had one goal when she came up with the idea for Santa Cares in 2018 – to make sure everyone has a gift to give on Christmas. “[A]fter working with Sheltering Silverton and SACA I knew there were many in need,” Garst said. Inspired, Garst developed the Santa Cares event during which community members can donate gently used items – toys, children’s books, sports […]
By Melissa Wagoner When the community-building nonprofit known as Silverton Together dissolved earlier this year, the Elizabeth Hoke Trust – a foundation honoring the legacy of SHS alumnus, Elizabeth Hoke – decided to take over many of its programs, including the annual Silverton Community Christmas Fest. “This is a celebration of the Silverton Community and the amazing people that make […]
By Melissa Wagoner Silverton residents and beyond are invited to participate in the second annual Give Away Saturday taking place July 18, 9 a.m. to noon. Similar to a community-wide garage sale, the Give Away urges participants to purge those items that are no longer in use by giving them away to someone who needs them but might not otherwise […]
By Melissa Wagoner Karen Garst is starting a movement; one she’s hoping will catch on city-wide – Give Away Saturday. “Decluttering is always a good idea,” Garst said of the impetus for the idea, which was to purge her own excess items during the pandemic. “We were doing one drawer at a time,” she said of the method she and […]
By Melissa Wagoner Karen Garst didn’t intend to become a writer. A woman with a diverse academic background – including a Doctorate in Philosophy, a Master’s Degree in French Literature and time spent as a Fulbright Scholar – Garst’s writing career didn’t begin until her retirement. “I was having lunch with my friend Kate, who is an author, and she […]
