2017 Award Winners

  • Above and Beyond "Autism Champion": Autism Cafe'/Library – Betsy Drillon, John Fischer, Independent Kinsmen – Jason Brimm
  • Community Partner: Marcfirst – Laura Furlong
  • Gold Star Member: Erik Heinonen, Kari Sandhaas
  • Excellent Educator: Tom Parton, Karen Bohl
  • Sibling Award: Quincy Winston, Mason Lewis
  • Shine Award: Nick Bolin, Zander Woith
  • Missing Piece Memorial: Logan McKibben

 

2016 Award Winners

  • Above and Beyond: Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe, Miracle League, Linda Kunce, Tara Horn
  • Community Partner: Noodles (Brian Tiemeier), CM Promotions
  • Gold Star Member: Krissy Dodson, Nikki Michalak
  • Excellent Educator: Mike Dickinson

2015 Award Winners

  • Above and Beyond: Dr. Emm – Bloomington Pediatrics, Pediatric Smiles – Dr. Hall and Dr. Sara
  • Community Partner: RSVP/YWCA, The Gingerbread House
  • Gold Star Member: Ed Hampton
  • Excellent Educator: Kim Miller
  • Shine Award: Staci Rogers
  • Visionary Employer: Christina Schulz – The Hile Group

2014 Award Winners

  • Above and Beyond:  Donna Anhalt from Seedling Theatre, Weavers Rent All
  • Sibling Award:  Raheel Yousuf
  • Gold Star Member:  Jill Enchelmayer
  • Excellent Educator:  Kathy Case
  • Visionary Employer:  Thomson & Weintraub Law Firm
  • Missing Piece Memorial: John Miskulin, Melissa Trauner, Karla Kirby-Blake, Mitch Bledso

2013 Award Winners

  • Above and Beyond: The Autism Place (TAP) and Karla Doepke
  • Sibling Award: Maddi Barnett
  • Gold Star Member: Craig Luchtefeld
  • Excellent Educator: Laura Dickenson, Kathy O’Connell, and Karen Rennels
  • Visionary Employer: Kroger

2012 Award Winners

  • Above and Beyond: Jaycees
  • Sibling Award: Michael Mace, Jason Roberts
  • Gold Star Member: Mary Armstrong-Reiner
  • Excellent Educator: Deb Lawson
  • Visionary Employer: COUNTRY Financial

2011 Award Winners

  • Above and Beyond: Nicole Burke
  • Sibling Award: Allison Enchelmayer
  • Gold Star Member: Kristi Warner
  • Excellent Educator: Dawn Duff, Chris Baldwin
  • Visionary Employer: Jeff Pritz, Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
  • Partner Organization: RSVP, Sportsmans Club

2010 Award Winners

  • Above and Beyond: SSID
  • Sibling Award: Austin Adkins
  • Gold Star Member: Ashley Gomez
  • Excellent Educator: Becky Hester, Theresa Koehler
  • Inspiring Individual: Virginia Moody, David Warner
  • Partner Business: Chuck's Harley Davidson
  • Partner Organization: Bloomington-Normal Young Professionals Kiwanis Club

2009 Award Winners

  • Sibling Award: Logan Wade Lewis , Megan
  • Gold Star Member: Katie Kelley, Crag Luchtefeld, Daynna Hebenstreit, Jacquie Mace, David & Mary Armstrong-Reiner
  • Excellent Educator: Karen Rennels, Wendy Trotter
  • Partner Organization: Easter Seals, SSID
  • Media Awareness: WEEK 25 and HOI 19

Awards of Recognition:

  • Above and Beyond “Autism Champion” – Recognizes members of the local community who have made a direct impact on families and individuals with autism. These champions lead by example, make a positive difference and help make McLean County an Autism Friendly Community.
  • Community Partner – Presented to the outstanding organization that has provided support and partnership to the Autism McLean and the autism community.  These partners are committed to advancing the acceptance of autism and dedicated to making McLean County an Autism Friendly Community. Without good partners, we cannot succeed!
  • Excellent Educator ­– This award acknowledges and recognizes a teacher or other professional who has directly impacted our individuals with autism.  Their dedication to enhance the future of all individuals with autism, through direct teaching, training of others, volunteering their time to further the educational efforts, commitment to furthering their own knowledge or involvement in collaborating on projects related to autism.
  • Gold Star Member – For a member of Autism McLean who has made a direct impact on the organization, in the lives of the families and individuals affected by autism, or through personal triumphs in their own lives.
  • Shine Award – Presented to the outstanding individual who has provided support and partnership to Autism McLean. The recipient of the Shine award stands out as someone who is enthusiastic and devoted to improving the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum.
  • Sibling Award – Outstanding Sibling award is given to our children who go above and beyond to help their siblings with autism. This award is for our youth who because of their unconditional love, loyalty, and Spirit are our true role models of what a person should be and how a sibling and friend should act.
  • Visionary Employer Award – This award is presented to a local employer who stands out because of their dedication to the special needs community with the employment of individuals with special needs.
  • A Missing Piece –  For those who were a part of our community and made an impact in our lives, and who were taken from us too soon. “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same”.