Debbie Esbenshade, a past president of this club and past district governor, says her Rotary experience has been life-changing. Who introduced her to Rotary? Which project did she embrace? Why is she a longtime member? The answers are here.
 
Name: Debbie Esbenshade      
                                                                                     
Preferred Nickname: Debbie        
                                                                                    
Years in Rotary: 27         
                                                                                       
Resident of: Poland  
                                                                                             
Hometown: Mansfield      
                                                                                         
What brought you here, or kept you here? My dad transferred from General Motors, Mansfield, to Lordstown in 1969. I have been here ever since. 
                                                                               
Education: Associate degree in Accounting and Bachelor of Arts in Management with a minor in Economics, Youngstown State University.  
                                                                             
Occupation: Controller for Victory Christian Center, Coitsville.      
                                                                     
Who is in your family circle? My sister, Sue, and her family (Boardman, Manheim, PA and Chicago); my brother, Rich, and his family (Girard); my brother, David, and his family (Virginia Beach, VA); dating Terry Barringer since 2016.                  
                                                                             
Do you have any pets?  If so, what are their names and what are they like? Four rescue cats - Lucky, Rocky, Gracie and Kody.    
                                                                                        
When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time? Being very involved at church, volunteer opportunities with Rotary, baking, reading, building puzzles and Sudoku.                                                            
Why did you join Rotary? I initially was invited to join by Walter DeBald to replace my boss at Easter Seals and always had a heart for volunteering.  
                                                                         
Why do you remain a Rotarian? The many friendships I have made and projects that we do, like Operation Warm and many, many others.  
                                                                             
Which Rotary Project resonates with you and your understanding of our community's needs? I had an opportunity to present the Operation Warm project in 2012-2013 to Division 1A clubs (Youngstown, Canfield, Austintown, Boardman, Struthers and Poland). It was my District Community Service Project as District Governor in 2013-2014, and every single club participated – at $60,000, it was the highest year of fundraising.                                          
                                                         
What does Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" mean to you? Doing for others without expecting anything in return!    
                                                                                            
What would you be doing on Wednesdays if you didn't attend the weekly luncheon meeting? Working.      
                                             
Which type of Rotary socials do you prefer - black tie affairs or casual attire? Both.     
                                               
A Rotary tradition is to have sing-alongs during meetings.  Would you ever lead us in a song? You probably wouldn't want me to.  
                                                                                         
What do you think of Scott Schulick's Rotary pants, and would you wear a pair? Scott is following in Reid's tradition of eye-catching apparel. I would not.    
                                                                        
What's a story of yours that you don't get to tell often enough? How my first Rotary Division 1A Mission Project (in my year as President) to an orphanage in Mexico changed my entire life perspective.