From PERRYSBURG ROTARY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
To display community spirit and environmental stewardship, Perrysburg and Maumee Rotarians will gather along the banks of the Maumee River on Saturday, Sept. 13, for a coordinated day of service. The cleanup event will focus on removing debris, improving riverbank conditions, and protecting local wildlife habitats.
Rotarians will gather at Orleans Park, 655 Maumee Western Reserve Road, Perrysburg, on Sept. 13, between 8:30 – 9 a.m., where they will receive a mission overview, cleanup instructions, and a safety briefing along with equipment. The cleanup will end at noon. The event is open to Rotarians and their family members who want to lend a hand in preserving and protecting the Maumee River.
The partnership between the two clubs was born earlier in 2025, when Maumee Rotary President Paula Birney and Perrysburg Rotary President Greg Rufty first met at the Rotary President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS). From that initial conversation, both leaders agreed a joint service project would be a great way to demonstrate Rotary’s mission of service above self, while also fostering stronger ties between their two communities.
“The Maumee River connects our cities physically, but this project connects our members in purpose,” said Birney. “By working together, we are living out the ‘Unite for Good’ theme in a way that benefits everyone who calls this area home.”
Rufty added, “We’re taking to heart this year’s Rotary theme of ‘Unite for Good’ with this project. This is more than just a cleanup. It’s a chance to set an example for collabortation, stewardship, and community pride.”
The Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation and the Perrysburg and Maumee Rotary Clubs are sponsors of the event.
“‘Clean Your Streams’ is just one example of the many community projects Rotary has spearheaded over the years,” said Jack Sculfort, executive director of the Community Foundation.
Jesse Stock, executive director for Partners for Clean Streams, will be the guest speaker at the Perrysburg Rotary Club’s Sept. 12 meeting. Partners for Clean Streams is a Perrysburg-based non-profit organization whose mission is to work for clean, clear, and safe water in northwest Ohio and beyond.
For more information about the Perrysburg Rotary Club or the Clean Streams project, visit www.perrysburgrotary.org. For more information about the Perrysburg Rotary Community Foundation, visit www.prcf.org, or contact PRCF Executive Director Jack Sculfort at 419-343-5920 or jack.sculfort@prcf.org.
