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Community Relations Commission honors Karen Garvin as Outstanding Neighbor
Summary
Karen Garvin received the Outstanding Neighbor Award for caring for an ailing neighbor and arranging foster care and veterinary support for his dogs after his death; the award was presented by the Community Relations Commission during the Feb. 25 meeting.
Karen Garvin was recognized by the Morton Grove Community Relations Commission as an Outstanding Neighbor at the Feb. 25 village board meeting for her assistance to an elderly neighbor and care of his dogs.
Theresa Poliak, chair of the Community Relations Commission, said the nomination by Lisonbee Cole described how Garvin began regularly checking on the neighbor in fall 2023, assisted with mobility-related tasks and household management, and ultimately coordinated care for the neighbor's dogs after he was hospitalized and later died.
Commission members and others in the audience described Garvin's efforts: she provided daily welfare checks, helped with laundry and medications, and worked to find foster care and a permanent home for the dogs. The nomination noted Garvin set up a GoFundMe to cover veterinary checkups and vaccinations; meeting remarks said the dogs were placed in a foster home as of mid-December (year not specified in the announcement) while awaiting adoption.
Trustee Connie Travis, liaison to the Community Relations Commission, presented Garvin with a certificate, a mug, a pen, a Morton Grove pin and a gift card redeemable at a Morton Grove restaurant. Several commission members and residents, including Denise Powers and Allison (identified at the podium with Garvin), spoke in support of the nomination and described the relief felt when Garvin stepped in to assist.
The commission invited residents interested in serving to attend meetings held the third Monday every other month; the next meeting announced in the item is March 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall. The award program recognizes residents, businesses and organizations that promote community relations and sustainable neighborliness.
