Published: July 08, 2008 11:06 pm            

Terre Haute Rotary Club honors Valley volunteers

Tennis, Patterson receive annual awards

TERRE HAUTE — Two men who have been described as selfless men who shy away from recognition received their due praise when the Terre Haute Rotary Club gave them awards for their volunteer work.

Bill Tennis and Dave Patterson received awards Tuesday in the Chestnut Room of the Holiday Inn for their contributions to the community.

Patterson, executive director of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau, received the Paul Harris Community Service Award. Tennis, executive director of the local Goodwill Industries, was awarded the Four Avenues of Service Citation. The honors came during the Rotary Club’s regularly scheduled noon meeting. The two were the fifth group to receive the awards, said Neil Garrison, city councilman and chairman of the Rotary Club Awards Selection Committee.

The awards were given as part of an annual ceremony by the Rotary Club, which nominates one non-Rotarian and one club member based on their community service. The nomination process was conducted by a small group within the Rotary Club. The nominees were chosen based on three criteria: positive contributions to the Terre Haute community, accomplishments that brought national or international attention to the community and giving good will to underprivileged individuals in the area.

Speaking from a podium before a filled Chestnut Room, Garrison said Tennis and Patterson avoid recognition for their efforts. The two were coined as men who put “service above self” by Garrison, who presented the awards. The short acceptance speeches the two gave did nothing to dispel that notion.

“I certainly didn’t do it for the recognition I received today,” Tennis said about his service, after the meeting. “I think that we all have a role to play in building for a better community. I just prefer to do mine out of the limelight, it’s heartfelt.”

Tennis has been employed with the local Goodwill Industries for 37 years, and served as the chief executive officer for 25. He has occupied a number of positions and been involved in many club projects during his 25 years as a Rotary Club member. Tennis has served as the club chairman and worked at the annual Salvation Army bell ring in the winter.

Patterson similarly has made many contributions to the Terre Haute area, using his position at the Visitors Bureau to bring events to Terre Haute that resulted in economic boons for the city. The events include the Indianapolis Colts Training Camp, NCAA Division 1 Cross-country Championships and the Indiana Special Olympics.

Hotels, restaurants, malls and all other retail establishments have benefited from this, Garrison said.

Patterson said he could never accept the glory alone for bringing business to Terre Haute.

“I don’t do what I do because I want the spotlight,” he said after the meeting. “It’s to do the right thing, both for the community, and the event and people involved. Being involved with so many groups, you’d have to be a pretty shallow person to get up and act like you did it on your own.”

His familiarity with the members of the Rotary Club made the nomination mean a great deal to him, Patterson said.

“There are guys in this room that I’ve known since I was a kid,” Patterson said. “They impressed me then and they impress me now. To be recognized by this group makes that pretty special.”

Kim Ingalsbe, Rotary Club president, said the two award recipients were selfless men who are worthy of the honors they received.

“They are always behind the scenes, giving, giving, giving,” Ingalsbe said. “I think they are very deserving of these awards today.”

DeAntae Prince can be reached at (812)231-4214 or deantae.prince@tribstar.com.

        

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