“He saw my fingers above the snow,” Karen Marriott recalls of being buried in a 2000 in-bounds avalanche at Snowbasin before being spotted by Dr. Jeff Harrison and “unburied. He saved my life, allowing me to return home to my children” And enabling Karen to keep improving her world.
Karen Marriot is the founder of Serve Park City. The organization’s annual 9/11 Day of Service mobilized more than 1,000 people for last year’s event, from stocking pantries to caring for rescued animals. “It’s my favorite day in Park City,” Karen remarks.
Karen has woven service into family life. Her three children knew that “when Mom had a project, the whole family had a project.” They joined on service trips to India and African countries— a powerful reality check. “They could see we have more than most, and their responsibility to serve others.” Her first nonprofit effort grew out of parenting, launching the PC Teen Foundation to keep kids safe and engaged.
Karen later volunteered with Peace House, the Christian Center of Park City, People’s Health Clinic and Jewish Family Services, developing a passion for expanding access to mental health care.
Shifting from boardrooms to hands-on volunteering, Karen noticed Parkites want to help but often don’t know where to start. That helped sparked Serve Park City and its partnership with JustServe.org, which connects volunteers with local opportunities.
Karen came to Park City to raise her daughters in the mountains 30 years ago and met her husband on the slopes. “Our first ski date,” Karen smiles and takes a moment to reminisce. The couple recently celebrated 25 years of marriage and have a son together.
Karen continues to find avenues for service, recently joining the University of Utah’s Board of Trustees. And she lately enjoys exploring towns in the UK where her ancestor originated before immigrating to Utah in the mid-1800s.
Today, the image of fingers in the snow remains vivid: a moment that sent Karen back to her family and helped fuel a life devoted to service.