The Circle of Care Award was established in 1994 by Mary Cox, Sandy Lauschke, and Nancy Ryrie. The three envisioned a way to generate support for Riverbend Head Start & Family Services by recognizing community leaders who exhibit a strong sense of service and philanthropy.
Over the past 25 years, the annual tribute has acknowledged the following recipients: Dr. Paul Pierce, Rod & Jane St. Clair, Essic Robinson, Dale & Carol Neudecker, Judge Nicholas Byron & Josephine Beckwith, Jim Goodwin & Buddy Davis, Paul & Sandy Lauschke, Jack & Betty Jacoby, Don Miller, Anna Beach & Andy Simpson, Ron McMullen, Steve & Mary Lou Cousley, Senator William Haine, Tom & Jeana Hutchinson, Bill & Pat Kessler, Diana Enloe, Ed & Nancy Ryrie, Mike & Cindy Lefferson, Dr. Robert & Charlene Hamilton, Ed & Patty Morrissey, Bill & Vicki Schrimpf, Dwight & Cheryl Werts, Steve & Jane Saale and Lisa Nielsen & Michael Moehn. In 2017, Riverbend Head Start & Family Services welcomed Randy and Beth Gori to the esteemed circle of honorees. As a part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration, all Circle Alumni were invited to the event in 2018. During the 2019 Circle of Care, The Honorable David Hylla and his wife, Anita Hylla were honored and celebrated by many across the Madison County area.