Our A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award

The Rotary Club of Westerville each spring recognizes a local individual or organization with its A. Monroe Courtright Volunteer Service Award.

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, and the club launched the community service award in his honor.

Courtright was known for his strong support of Westerville, and his strong opinions, expressed weekly in a front page column in the PO titled, “You May Quote Us as Saying.”

Off the front page, his private philanthropic efforts were less well known. A business in trouble might find an envelope of money near the cash register after an unannounced visit. Westerville families and groups in need were helped quite often, with anonymous gifts that the newspaper publisher had no wish to publicize. He had no desire to be recognized for this aid-giving.

The Courtright Award named in Monroe’s honor recognizes outstanding community service by a leader or volunteer that is both “significant and sustained.” This service must come without pay, and not as part of one’s paid job.