CENTURY 21 ELITE celebrates the extraordinary with The Relentless Campaign. In a community of exciting projects, progressive movements, and exponential growth, relentless leaders and community members are found at its core. Now more than ever, we want to recognize these leaders. The Relentless Campaign aims to celebrate those making waves in the Wabash Valley Community by honoring individuals, businesses, and organizations who truly give the word “relentless” its meaning. This month, we are excited to announce our first honoree of The 2023 Relentless Campaign, an individual who truly gives 121%.
Marla Flowers is currently the Executive Director for the Vigo County Historical Museum but has worn many hats over the years within the Wabash Valley Community (along with having a past obsession with actually wearing hats)! Marla no doubt exemplifies what a community leader is. This is what the 2022 Miracle on 7th Street Board of Directors and Volunteer Committee had to say, “If you attended any of the events around Miracle on 7th Street this year you can thank the “relentless” team behind the event, a group of volunteers passionate about Christmas and the community. At the helm of the team was Vigo County History Center Executive Director Marla Flowers.
Miracle on 7th Street, a 501c3 non-profit organization not only organizes the “unofficial” kick off to the holiday season, but over the last 14 years the group has raised thousands of dollars and literally TONS of food which is donated to numerous charities and food banks across the Wabash Valley. While the event is a great time, it’s what happens after the Miracle – donation checks are written to a handful of charities – that really makes the holiday season special.
Leading those efforts is Marla (along with Miracle President Terry Hogan). For months, Marla worked with the Miracle committee to bring yearly traditions and exciting new elements to the Miracle. Igloos on Wabash Ave? Let’s do it! Additional vendor tents? Make it happen! Musical performances by local artists? Let’s rock! No idea was too small or too big. With each idea and plan, Marla was determined to accomplish it. Even when we thought the entire event would be blown – literally with 50 MPH winds on the Friday of Miracle – Marla found a way to make it happen. Coordinating with Mayor Duke Bennett, they bolted the igloos to the street and continued with the event.
The weekend’s wind stopped and the rest of Miracle was a huge success with nearly $20,000 collected this year to continue the mission of Miracle on 7th Street.
While impressive, this is just one example of Marla’s “relentless” spirit. Since taking over the History Center, admission numbers have grown, event participation has increased and the museum continues to thrive with new exhibits, rental events and community programs.
Marla’s efforts to support and improve our community is also “relentless” with her involvement in countless organizations over the years including the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Wabash Valley, Downtown Terre Haute, Junior Achievement, Chances and Services for Youth and more. She also serves on the Union Hospital Finance Committee. In the past, Flowers served on the board of both the Indiana United Way and the United Way of the Wabash Valley. She is a past recipient of the Athena Award, the United Way of the Wabash Valley Richard Newport Award and the Junior Achievement Business Person of the Year Award. She is also a Wabash Valley Women of Influence recipient as well as a 2014 Terre Haute Dancing with the Stars champion. Thank you Marla for leading our team, always making us laugh and pushing us to think big. Your RELENTLESS spirit inspires each of us.”
Truly an inspiration, Marla’s nominator had this to say when asked why they think she deserves to be recognized as Relentless. “Marla Flowers is a dedicated servant leader in the community. For most of her career, she’s spent countless hours volunteering for community events, leading the charge to help bring resources to our community, and moving the needle to help Terre Haute become a place where people want to live. Marla has been instrumental with the Miracle on 7th Street, she danced (and won) in the Terre Haute Dancing with the Stars fundraiser, specifically working to raise money for a renovated kitchen at the Booker T Washington Community Center, and has worked to promote Downtown Terre Haute (serving as the co-chair for that committee). These are just a few of the many committees, programs, and events Marla gives her time and talent to make a success. Terre Haute is blessed to have Marla Flowers and I can’t think of a more deserving person nominated for the Relentless Campaign.”
We are honored to recognize an extraordinary dedicated individual like Marla. CENTURY 21 Elite will continue to recognize relentless individuals like her in 2023. Nominate a relentless individual that gives their dedication, time, and expertise within the Wabash Valley community at The Relentless – CENTURY 21 ELITE TERRE HAUTE (terrehautehomes.com)
Marla Flowers is currently the Executive Director for the Vigo County Historical Museum but has worn many hats over the years within the Wabash Valley Community (along with having a past obsession with actually wearing hats)! Marla no doubt exemplifies what a community leader is. This is what the 2022 Miracle on 7th Street Board of Directors and Volunteer Committee had to say, “If you attended any of the events around Miracle on 7th Street this year you can thank the “relentless” team behind the event, a group of volunteers passionate about Christmas and the community. At the helm of the team was Vigo County History Center Executive Director Marla Flowers.
Miracle on 7th Street, a 501c3 non-profit organization not only organizes the “unofficial” kick off to the holiday season, but over the last 14 years the group has raised thousands of dollars and literally TONS of food which is donated to numerous charities and food banks across the Wabash Valley. While the event is a great time, it’s what happens after the Miracle – donation checks are written to a handful of charities – that really makes the holiday season special.
Leading those efforts is Marla (along with Miracle President Terry Hogan). For months, Marla worked with the Miracle committee to bring yearly traditions and exciting new elements to the Miracle. Igloos on Wabash Ave? Let’s do it! Additional vendor tents? Make it happen! Musical performances by local artists? Let’s rock! No idea was too small or too big. With each idea and plan, Marla was determined to accomplish it. Even when we thought the entire event would be blown – literally with 50 MPH winds on the Friday of Miracle – Marla found a way to make it happen. Coordinating with Mayor Duke Bennett, they bolted the igloos to the street and continued with the event.
The weekend’s wind stopped and the rest of Miracle was a huge success with nearly $20,000 collected this year to continue the mission of Miracle on 7th Street.
While impressive, this is just one example of Marla’s “relentless” spirit. Since taking over the History Center, admission numbers have grown, event participation has increased and the museum continues to thrive with new exhibits, rental events and community programs.
Marla’s efforts to support and improve our community is also “relentless” with her involvement in countless organizations over the years including the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Wabash Valley, Downtown Terre Haute, Junior Achievement, Chances and Services for Youth and more. She also serves on the Union Hospital Finance Committee. In the past, Flowers served on the board of both the Indiana United Way and the United Way of the Wabash Valley. She is a past recipient of the Athena Award, the United Way of the Wabash Valley Richard Newport Award and the Junior Achievement Business Person of the Year Award. She is also a Wabash Valley Women of Influence recipient as well as a 2014 Terre Haute Dancing with the Stars champion. Thank you Marla for leading our team, always making us laugh and pushing us to think big. Your RELENTLESS spirit inspires each of us.”
Truly an inspiration, Marla’s nominator had this to say when asked why they think she deserves to be recognized as Relentless. “Marla Flowers is a dedicated servant leader in the community. For most of her career, she’s spent countless hours volunteering for community events, leading the charge to help bring resources to our community, and moving the needle to help Terre Haute become a place where people want to live. Marla has been instrumental with the Miracle on 7th Street, she danced (and won) in the Terre Haute Dancing with the Stars fundraiser, specifically working to raise money for a renovated kitchen at the Booker T Washington Community Center, and has worked to promote Downtown Terre Haute (serving as the co-chair for that committee). These are just a few of the many committees, programs, and events Marla gives her time and talent to make a success. Terre Haute is blessed to have Marla Flowers and I can’t think of a more deserving person nominated for the Relentless Campaign.”
We are honored to recognize an extraordinary dedicated individual like Marla. CENTURY 21 Elite will continue to recognize relentless individuals like her in 2023. Nominate a relentless individual that gives their dedication, time, and expertise within the Wabash Valley community at The Relentless – CENTURY 21 ELITE TERRE HAUTE (terrehautehomes.com)
