Pauline Millhoff was dedicated to the issues related to aging. Today as our population becomes older, we see a great need for health care and housing for the older generation. However, Pauline Millhoff saw a need in the early 1960s to take action on these issues.
Throughout the 1960s Pauline Millhoff was an advocate for aging citizens of our county. She was the co-founder of the Senior Citizens Center for “Golden-Agers” and remained a life member of the board of Senior Citizens, Senior Citizens Center for Golden-Agers. Pauline would host parties for the older people and even made arrangements to transport the elderly to the parties she hosted.
Pauline became the Chairman of Gerontology for the Federated Women’s Club of Sidney and past State Chairman. Also, she was a member of the Governor’s Committee on Aging for the State of Ohio. That same year, 1963, Pauline became a member of the Red Cross Blood Bank. In 1964, Pauline became a board member of the Council of Religious Education for Sidney schools. Her dedication to these issues paved the way for our organizations of today.
It became clear the county was in need of a home for the elderly; consequently, Pauline became the secretary for the committee promoting the bond issue for a new Shelby County Home. The effort was successful as a result and now we have Fair Haven dedicated in June of 1969.
In 1967, the Jaycees awarded Pauline with Woman of the Year accolade for women in the age group of 61 and over.
Also in 1967, at the Ohio State Fair Pauline was presented the Outstanding Senior Citizen award for the entire state of Ohio by Governor James Rhodes. The special senior citizen award was televised on Channel 7, the 50-50 Club, and the Bob Braun Show. The show was televised live from the grandstand entertainment area of the Ohio State Fair and broadcast over the WLW network in Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indianapolis.
Additionally, Pauline was The Salvation Army Advisory Board Life Member, serving on various committees including the building committee to house the Salvation Army at its current location.
Throughout her life, Pauline dedicated her time to the community and rose to the challenges she faced starting new projects. “Intrepid” is the best word to describe her efforts on behalf of others, especially the aging population.