Reliance Award Announced at Moonlight on the Wabash

RiverScape Posthumously Honors Charlie Williams

RiverScape celebrated its 3rd Annual Moonlight on the Wabash event on Wednesday, September 13. More than 300 attendees joined the organization in celebrating the community’s natural asset, the Wabash River. The event raised more than $60,000 in support of the organization’s mission. 

This year, the organization posthumously recognized Charlie Williams with its 2023 Reliance Award. Named after the Wabash River board that cruised the Wabash River in the 1920s, this award is given each year at the event to an individual who has demonstrated servant leadership to the community, advocated for the Wabash River, and has made significant contributions to the riverfront development. The Reliance Award is reserved for honoring the past yet celebrating today’s actions, beliefs, and accomplishments of an individual who envisions a day when the Wabash River is as heavily utilized as it was in the 1920s. 

“Charlie was a visionary who passionately advocated for our riverfront and everything Vigo County can and is becoming,” shared Bryan Horsman, president of RiverScape, “As RiverScape enters its next chapter, it is essential we note Charlie’s leadership, which has gotten us to where we are today.” 

Williams was a founding member of RiverScape, where he remained an active board member until he passed in November 2022. During his time on the board, Williams participated in several initiatives that have had a lasting impact on the community, including the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, which now has trails for nature lovers, hikers, bicyclists, and runners; the establishment of Bicentennial Park which became a trailhead and passive park for Vigo County; and the creation of the Pedestrian Connector that safely connects folks traveling to and from West Terre Haute.

William’s brother, Scott Williams, accepted the award on the family’s behalf.

“From the first time, Charlie shared his passion for RiverScape with me, it was clear that he wouldn’t be a part of anything that fell short of outstanding success. The crowd and the people of Terre Haute who are here tonight are people who get things done. RiverScape is in fantastic shape. I am so proud of what you have all done, and especially what Charlie and Donna were able to do with their membership in RiverScape. Thank you to everybody doing your part and recognizing Charlie. We are so proud of Charlie and what he contributed to Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley,” Williams stated. 

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RiverScape is a volunteer non-profit organization in Vigo County, established in 2008. Its mission is to advance, transform, and safeguard the Wabash River and riverfront. More information regarding the organization can be found at https://wabashriverscape.org/

Gerri Varner Receives Paul Harris Award from Rotary

    The Terre Haute Rotary Club recently presented its annual Paul Harris Award to Gerri Varner for her life-long, volunteerism to help numerous local organizations.

    The award is presented to a non Rotarian whose volunteer efforts locally have improved quality of life, created recognition for this area and improved the lives of the less fortunate. 
    Varner was honored for her tireless volunteer work on behalf of at least 12 organizations ranging from Riverscape to Trees, Inc., 100+ Women Who Care and Meals on Wheels. As a board member of Riverscape, Varner led efforts to create Moonlight on the Wabash, a highly successful fundraising event to create interest in the Wabash River as an active, valuable waterfront for the community. She has also been involved in Riverscape's Explore Wabashiki event and she coordinated a flower garden project to help beautify Fairbanks Park with the help of the City of Terre Haute and local garden groups. 
     Varner was also honored for her work to help improve the city's urban forest through her involvement with Trees, Inc., and her leadership as past president of the Community Theatre of Terre Haute.  As the emeritus president of P.E.O., Varner has been a leader in providing new opportunities for women through scholarships and mentoring. She has also volunteered with the Citizens for Better Government, the Vigo County Historical Museum, and the Swope Art Gallery.

     The award is named for Paul Harris, who in 1905 founded the first Rotary club in Chicago. Rotary International now consists of 46,000 clubs with 1.4 million members. The Terre Haute Rotary Club is the oldest service club in Terre Haute and the second oldest Rotary Club in Indiana.