News From The River
Friends of the Reedy River Celebrates a Year of Firsts, Elects Leadership for 2022
Greenville, SC (November 30, 2021) – At its annual meeting this month, Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR) elected two new board members and approved a slate of officers for the coming year, heard from a guest speaker about the importance of like-minded collaboration, presented recognition awards, and watched a recap of FoRR’s 2021 landmark events and accomplishments. FoRR held this year’s meeting at ReWa’s new Water Discovery Lab.
Board president, Katie Callahan, noted that 2021 was a year of firsts for FoRR. These included FoRR getting its own office building, hiring its first full time professional staff member, obtaining a presenting sponsorship for its Reedy River Fall Cleanup, and removing a major blockage from the Reedy with highly skilled volunteers and specialized equipment. Callahan laid out FoRR’s vision for growth and continued advocacy for care and improvement of the Reedy River in 2022 and beyond.
Officers who will lead FoRR’s board of directors in 2022 are Scott Butler, president, Phil Townsend, vice president, Madeleine Bolick, treasurer, and Katherine Amidon, secretary. Pam Moore and Bill Harclerode were elected to three-year terms as new board members.
Among the highlights of FoRR’s 2021 recognition awards were the Heavy Lifter Award going to the CONSOR Engineering team for using their unique training and equipment to remove a major blockage of the Reedy in Cleveland Park; Best Business Friend of the Reedy going to Altar’d State Women’s Clothing for choosing FoRR as a beneficiary of a percentage of their quarterly sales; Best In-Kind Business Friend of the Reedy to KeyMark, Inc. for providing the coding expertise and IT service to digitize a set of FoRR legal documents for ease in online completion; and The Future Nature Keepers award to Girl Scout troops 1253, 1349, 1968, 3377, and 3448 for providing so many young volunteers in support of FoRR’s semi-annual river cleanups.
The highlight of the evening was an address from Conestee Nature Preserve’s new executive director (and former FoRR board member), Michael Corley. Corley’s comments focused on the importance of like-minded groups working together to greater benefit the Upstate’s natural treasures.
Friends of the Reedy River (FoRR) is a tax-exempt non-profit, volunteer-run conservation organization. Since its inception in 1993, FoRR has been the only organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and restoring the water quality condition of the Reedy River and its entire 260 square mile watershed for the economic benefit and recreational enjoyment of the Upstate. They envision a safe, clean, and accessible river corridor that enhances the quality of life for all residents, businesses, and visitors. FoRR carries out this work through education, action, and advocacy. FoRR, “the voice of the Reedy River.”
Contact:
Scott Butler, Friends of the Reedy River
President-Elect, Board of Directors P.O. Box 9351
cell 515 306-5392 Greenville, SC 29605
www.friendsofthereedyriver.org