How The Guild Started

For more than 35 years, the Carlson family of Kitsap County has felt a deep connection to St. Michael Medical Center (formerly Harrison Medical Center) and sincere gratitude for the decades of care they have received. Their medical journey began in 1986 when Bob Carlson suffered a debilitating illness that required years of carefully coordinated inpatient and home care support. Grateful for the years of compassion and expertise, Bob’s wife Violet, daughters and other family members became active in theSt. Michael Medical Center Foundation’s(formerly Harrison Foundation) Festival of Trees. Violet was a “tireless-behind-the-scenes” person — one of those volunteers who is the foundation of all volunteer work.After Violet passed away in November2001 and the Festival of Trees ended in2011, Violet and Bob’s two daughters,Donna Overly and Sandy Carlson, alongwith their friends started the Violet E.Carlson Memorial Guild in 2012 as a way to honor their mother and continue her legacy of volunteering.