The Rotary Club of Westerville on Thursday, April 28, awarded its 46th annual A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award to Nancy and Todd McFarland.
The Westerville couple has a long history of dedicated support for nonprofit causes and groups across the Westerville City School District. Just some of those causes include Westerville Education Challenge, the Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation, the MODEL mentoring program for middle school girls (Mentors Opening Doors and Enriching Lives), Emerson Magnet School’s annual program for first-graders to raise money for Caring & Sharing, the Hope Squad suicide prevention program recently established in all three Westerville high schools, and the Westerville youth athletic leagues WASA and WYBSL.
Courtright was the longtime publisher of Westerville’s historic hometown newspaper, The Public Opinion. He also was a charter member our Rotary Club of Westerville. He died unexpectedly just a month into his term as the club’s president in 1977. Known for his support of community causes and quiet financial aid to local individuals in need, the club launched the community service award in his honor.
John Oleyar, chair of the club’s Courtright Award Committee, said committee members, “believe that Todd and Nancy McFarland have contributed to Westerville in the tradition of kindness, generosity and community spirit exemplified by Monroe Courtright. Their volunteerism has affected a great number of people, and has been sustained over a lengthy period of time. We are pleased to present them with the award on behalf of the Rotary Club of Westerville.”
Club member Courtright Committee member Tracy Davidson, who also is president of the Westerville Board of Education, introduced the McFarlands and presented the award April 28 during a luncheon at The Medallion Club.
“The ultimate gift you can give another human is to help them feel seen, valued and heard,” Davidson said. “And that’s what the McFarlands do so often. … It is my pleasure to present them with the 2022 Monroe Courtright Award.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS
TOP: The Rotary Club of Westerville’s 2022 A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award was presented April 28. Pictured following the award presentation April 28 at The Medallion Club are (from left) Rotary Club of Westerville members Sherri Blais and Tracy Davidson, winners of the club’s 2022 A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award winners Nancy and Todd McFarland, and retired Westerville first-grade teacher Mary Taylor.
AT RIGHT: Pictured during the award presentation at The Medallion Club are (from left) Club President Joe Meyer, the club’s Courtright Award Committee Chair John Oleyar, and award-winners Nancy and Todd McFarland.
The Rotary Club of Westerville
Founded in 1959, the Rotary Club of Westerville is a service club of business professionals and leaders working to improve our community and larger world. We are part of Rotary International. Find out more at WestervilleRotary.com. Contact the Club and learn how to join at www.westervillerotary.com/contact-form.
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