The second annual Center for Hospice Care “Circle of Caring” award dinner took place at the Lerner Theatre in Elkhart on Wednesday, November 1.
John Mastrojohn III, president and CEO of Center for Hospice Care, acknowledged the significance of rewarding those who make great contributions. “There are many lessons to be learned from hospice care,” Mastrojohn said. “Honoring and celebrating the people who make a positive impact on the community is an important lesson.”
When the Center for Hospice Care team introduced this award dinner last year, they weren’t sure what to expect. Mike Wargo, vice president and chief operating officer of the Hospice Foundation, said it was the most successful event the organization has had in its 43-year history.
It took a healthy team effort, but Wargo believes this year’s dinner has come together to create a second year of success.
“A lot of people that were on the committee last year were able to help us this year as well,” Wargo said. “We’re blessed to have a wonderful team of people that can work together and understand their role. Everybody understands what needs to happen and I’m glad about how the event turned out.”
This year’s ceremony honored Rex Martin and Lori Harris. “These awards are designed to honor those who have made significant contributions to the community and has a philanthropic approach through their service,” Wargo said. “Both of them were natural selections and they were gracious enough to allow us to honor them.”
Martin serves as chairman of NIBCO INC. He first joined the company in 1975. Over his tenure, he’s served in a variety of leadership roles including president, CEO, and chairman of the board. He currently serves as the co-founder and chairman of the Rex & Alice A. Martin Foundation. This organization specializes in donations to help support major projects for children at NIBCO site locations.
Harris works to improve the quality of living in the community with her own fitness studio space. She has also served as president and CEO of the Elkhart AMP Group. The Elkhart AMP Group’s mission is to raise funds to create a community amphitheater downtown and provide artistic opportunities for future generations.
Center for Hospice Care hosts events with the mindset of benefiting the community in ways that people can remember for a lifetime. Mastrojohn, who recently stepped into the role of president and CEO, is optimistic about the future of the organization adding that, “It’s an honor to collaborate with a group of people who really believe in and support the mission.”
The Center for Hospice Care’s team also recognized Tom and Libby Eisele for chairing the event, as well as the entire dinner committee for creating a special celebration.
For more information on the Center for Hospice Care, you can visit their website.