Diana Enloe was honored as the 2008 recipient of the Circle of Care award Tuesday night at a banquet sponsored by Riverbend Head Start & Family Services.

Her lifetime of dedication to enhancing the community is characteristic of a recipient of the Circle of Care award which “honors those who have exemplified the spirit of caring in the community through their profession, volunteerism or philanthropy.”

Enloe, a retired teacher of the Alton School District, serves the area as an award-winning director at Alton Little Theater (ALT), currently celebrating its 75th year in the community. She has directed thirty-six productions and was named Director Emeritus two years ago by the ALT’s Board and membership.

You cannot see the video because you dont have flash installed! Enloe’s volunteering in the community has brought about many innovations. Jane Hill, Enloe’s teaching colleague and friend, stated, “Diana likes the beginnings of things.” Hill went on to quote her friend, “What! Illinois has no theater festival for our high school students! Well, I’ll help start one. You want me to initiate a program in speech communication at your high school? I’d love to! What Alton-Godfrey needs is a First Night program; let’s gather a committee and get started!”

Enloe’s commitment to the community, dedication to education, and involvement in the arts has inspired countless individuals to become involved in the world around them. It is fitting, then, that she should be honored by Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, an organization that works to improve the quality of life for local children and families.

Circle of Care, an event in its 15th year, serves as the sole annual benefit for Riverbend Head Start & Family Services. The event honoring Diana Enloe generated over $37,000 for the agency’s programs which teach children, strengthen families, and enhance communities.

The event was made possible with the help of corporate sponsorships, donations from local business, and volunteers from within the community who worked the event. The Junior League of Greater Alton worked diligently to organize a silent auction that raised over $2300.

Enloe was excited about the money that the event raised. “I am really grateful for the opportunity to share anything I may have accomplished with an agency as valuable and as viable as Riverbend Head Start & Family Services,” she said, “I can’t wait until next year.”