On June 17, 1979, the Perrysburg Rotary Club officially received its charter, launching a legacy of service, leadership, fellowship, and community impact that continues today.
This historic Toledo Blade photo captures that special moment as Past District Governor Robert Soulen presented the club's charter at the Belmont Country Club. Receiving the charter were Perrysburg Rotary's first president, Duane Kester, President-Elect Alex Beloff, and Irvin Mandel, President of the Rotary Club of Toledo, our sponsoring club.
Also pictured is one of our club's most treasured symbols, a Rotary bell presented to the Perrysburg Rotary Club by our friends at the Maumee Rotary Club in 1979. For nearly five decades, that bell has opened meetings, celebrated accomplishments, and called generations of Rotarians to service. It serves as a reminder that Rotary is more than an individual club, it's a family. The support, encouragement, and friendship shared among Rotary clubs is one of our greatest strengths, and we remain grateful for the partnership and fellowship of our fellow Rotarians throughout the years.
Over the past 47 years, hundreds of Perrysburg Rotarians have dedicated their time, talents, and resources to improving lives throughout our community and beyond. From supporting students and local nonprofits to developing future leaders and building lifelong friendships, the spirit of Rotary has remained strong across generations.
As we celebrate our charter anniversary, we also reflect on this past Rotary year under President Greg Rufty's theme, "Uniting for Good." For nearly five decades, Perrysburg Rotarians have come together to unite neighbors, unite leaders, and unite communities in service. That commitment to working together for the greater good has been at the heart of our club since the day our charter was presented.
We honor those founding members whose vision created something that continues to thrive nearly five decades later. Their commitment to Service Above Self laid the foundation for everything our club accomplishes today and continues to inspire us as we look toward the future.
Thank you to every Rotarian, past and present, who has helped write the Perrysburg Rotary story.
Here's to 47 years of service, fellowship, and Uniting for Good!