Pickaway County Community Foundation’s Co-Founder, Shirley Dunlap Bowser, was named earlier this summer to Noon Rotary’s highest honor, The Drexel Poling Service Above Self Award.
The Drexel Poling Service Above Self Award, presented by Circleville Noon Rotary, is reserved for individuals who devote much of their lives to creating better lives for others.
Bowser, a Williamsport native, was honored for her service to the community and leadership initiatives. These include being a former board member of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, past chair and 10-year member of the Ohio State University Board of Trustees, educator, library supervisor, and later a board member for Westfall High School. She was also inducted into the Pickaway County and Ohio Agriculture halls of fame.
Bowser, along with Doris Yamarick, were the first two founding members of PCCF.
During her speech on August 1, when she received the award, Bowser said she enjoyed every minute of her work and accepted the honor on behalf of Doris Yamarick as well.
“She was much greater than a program director,” Bowser said. “The idea came from her. She did a lot of work [to launch PCCF], as did the founding board.”
Bowser reflected on starting PCCF in 2000.
“It was a great idea but a new idea,” she said. “Many people were already giving to their church, schools, and through individual donations, but to have an organized way to give back to the community…well, it took a while to sell.”
Bowser expressed pride in how the foundation is now perceived.
“I feel the foundation is looked upon as a reliable, honest, and worthwhile organization that continues to give back, including through legacy board members and more. It’s grown as a wonderful community organization, and I am so proud,” she said.
Looking ahead, Bowser emphasized the importance of planning, particularly in light of development and jobs coming not only to Pickaway County but to the region at large.
“I think now, as a community, we need to plan what we want to be,” she said. “The changes coming are coming fast and will happen whether we’re ready or not, so we should be ready.”