Center for Hospice Care honors Cindy Hawkins at Third Annual “Circle of Caring” Award Dinner

Center for Hospice Care (CHC) held its third “Circle of Caring” Award Dinner at the Lerner Theatre in Elkhart on Wednesday, November 5. The evening paid tribute to the late Cindy Hawkins and the important role that hospice care plays in supporting patients, families and the community. 

“We are honoring Cindy Hawkins posthumously,” said John Mastrojohn III, president and CEO of Center for Hospice Care during the event. “The theme ‘Crowded Table’ reflects how Cindy always made room for others. We’re really excited to honor her, her family and members of her care team. It will likely be an emotional evening, but a meaningful one.” 

The Circle of Caring Award honors community members who exemplify service and support Center for Hospice Care’s mission. Past honorees include Rex Martin and Lori Harris in 2023, and Tim Portolese and Dr. Bruce Newswanger in 2022. The award recognizes individuals for their community impact and alignment with CHC’s values. This year, Cindy Hawkins is honored posthumously for her faith, resilience and dedication to family.

“Cindy was a very dear friend of mine, and I watched her very bravely battle her diagnosis with glioblastoma,” said Jodi Spataro, Center for Hospice Care board member and event chair. “I watched her shepherd her entire family and community to a great place of peace as she lived her life very fully to the very end.”

Hawkins was born into the family that founded Jayco RV, and faced personal tragedy early when her father and young brother died in a plane crash in 1985. The evening featured a video of Cindy, who passed away in 2024, in which she shared her faith journey, her trepidation about her son Kevin’s passion for aviation, and how her faith helped her overcome this. Hawkins’ legacy underscores the vital role that hospice care plays in providing dignity and support to patients and families. 

“The hospice people made her feel very comfortable, and she enjoyed them,” said Bertha Rhodes, Hawkins’ mother. “I would recommend them to anybody. I hope they get good support from the community because of how valuable of a resource they are.” 

Hawkins’ family and members of her hospice care team attended the event to accept an award in her memory. The event also raised funds for CHC’s inpatient unit at the Elkhart campus; the live auction added more than $400,000 toward a $1 million goal. A paddle raise added another $250,000 to support CHC’s  compassionate hospice and palliative care programs.

“We hope the community takes away the message that people can make a difference,” said Dave Hawkins, Cindy’s husband. “It was only in her passing that I truly learned how to love and care for others.” 

The evening embodied the ‘Crowded Table’ theme throughout, reflecting the hospice philosophy of accompanying those at the end of life. Just as Cindy welcomed all into her life with open arms, Center for Hospice Care ensures that no one faces life’s most challenging moments alone. The gathering in the Crystal Ballroom represented the  essence of hospice care – bringing together families, caregivers and community members around a shared table of compassion, where every person matters and every story deserves to be heard. This spirit of inclusive care and unconditional support defines CHC’s approach to serving patients and families throughout their journey.

“I hope that people in the room walk away feeling full — full of generosity, hope, and proud of the success we will have this evening to support Center for Hospice Care. It is such a special night to celebrate Cindy and all that she has brought to her family and community. I hope everyone carries that spirit forward,” Spataro said. 

For more information about Center for Hospice Care events, mission or services, or to donate, visit cfhcare.org.