Service Above Self Ashley Lopez on Leadership, Community, and the Impact of Rotary

Strong communities do not happen by accident. They are built by people who choose to invest their time, talents, and energy into making life better for others. In this episode of Taylor Community Connection, Tom Cole sits down with Ashley Lopez, Executive Administrator of the Perrysburg Rotary Club, to talk about leadership, service, and the power of community involvement.

For more than a decade, Ashley has helped support the work of Perrysburg Rotary, an organization built around the motto "Service Above Self." She explains that Rotary is more than a weekly meeting. It is a commitment to improving communities through volunteerism, philanthropy, fellowship, and service. Members choose to invest their time, talents, and resources because they believe in creating positive change both locally and globally.

Throughout the conversation, Ashley reflects on the importance of choosing positivity and focusing on solutions rather than obstacles. While everyone experiences frustration and challenges, she believes people always have a choice in how they respond. That mindset has helped her build meaningful relationships, support volunteers, and help move countless community projects forward.

One of the topics Ashley is especially passionate about is involving the next generation in service. She shares how her own children have participated in Rotary projects, including volunteering at water stations during local races and helping support community food drives. These experiences help teach valuable lessons about responsibility, compassion, and leaving a place better than you found it.

The conversation also highlights Perrysburg Rotary's efforts to address food insecurity throughout the region. Ashley discusses projects such as the Perrysburg Christian United Thanksgiving meal program, which provides holiday meals to local families, as well as the club's annual Bootleggers Bash fundraiser. In recent years, proceeds from the event have supported multiple local food pantries and organizations working to ensure families have access to nutritious food.

Ashley emphasizes that many people are surprised to learn that food insecurity exists in every community, including communities often perceived as affluent. Rotary members work to identify needs, support local organizations, and create solutions that help neighbors facing difficult circumstances.

The discussion also touches on Rotary's guiding principles, including the well known Four Way Test, which encourages members to ask whether actions are truthful, fair, beneficial, and supportive of goodwill and friendship. These values continue to guide the organization's work and influence the way members approach service and leadership.

This episode is a reminder that meaningful change happens when people choose to serve others and work together toward a common goal. Through her leadership and dedication, Ashley continues helping Perrysburg Rotary create a stronger, more connected community.

👉 Watch now to hear how Ashley Lopez and Perrysburg Rotary are making a difference through service, leadership, and a commitment to putting community first.