Robin Henderson Named Joe B. Avery Recipient

Tuesday evening, Robin Henderson was announced as the winner of the City of Arkansas City’s annual Joe B. Avery Community Spirit Award during a presentation held at USD 470’s Avery Learning Center. 

Henderson, residing in Arkansas City for over 19 years, is married to Tyler. The couple has five children and one on the way. She is the director of Eagle Nest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing local classes, support, clothing, household goods, and financial assistance to needy families. She’s also served on the RISE Cowley Steering Committee and is the newest board member of the Northwest Community Center.

She has served as past chair of the Cowley House of Hope Homeless initiative, is a Cowley County breastfeeding advocator, credited with establishing the NAMI Chapter in Cowley County, is an active member of the Cowley County Community Corrections Board, served as board of directors for the Cowley County Community Health Center, worked in child welfare as a social worker for ten years, was a part of the first Tacolalah committee and is still a serving member, is a former chair of the Beautification & Tree Advisory Board. In addition, Henderson has served as a vital member of the Friends of Wilson Park Committee, is the founder of the Love & Joy Outreach, is credited with starting the Lovie Watson Park Story Walk, is the creator of the growing Cowley County Juneteenth Celebration, and supervisor of KU Med Outreach COPE Project.

Henderson was chosen by this year’s Joe B. Avery Community Spirit Award Committee, Charles Tweedy, Chairman, Tammy Lanman-Henderson, Vice-Chair, JoAnn Bierle, Kim Hager, and Joni Spiser.

Joe B. Avery, a former Ark City Human Relations Commission member, passed away in 2008. He was the first recipient of the award created in his honor. This award is bestowed to a deserving community member who displays the values of community spirit and diversity, as selected by a city-appointed commission or committee. The award celebrates those who make an effort to enhance the lives of others through service and a passion for furthering cooperation and humanitarianism among the citizens of Ark City.

To nominate an individual, group, or organization for the 2024 Joe B. Avery Community Spirit Award, please contact City Clerk Tiffany Parsons at tparsons@arkansascityks.gov or call 620-441-4412.

Criteria for the Joe B. Avery Community Spirit Award include:

• A candidate must make a significant humanitarian contribution to Arkansas City; this should be a high priority. 
• The candidate must live in Cowley County and have lived in Cowley County for five years. 
• The candidate must have contributed to their achievements, which have had a lasting effect on Arkansas City. 

• The achievements must be something above and beyond their line of work.

Past recipients of the Joe B. Avery Community Spirit Award have been: 

2009 — Joe B. Avery and Bruce Watson

2010 — Dr. Nick Rogers

2011 — Pastor James Watson Jr.

2012 — James Fry

2013 — Curtis Freeland

2014 — Delphia Jennings

2015 — Kerry Schnackenberg

2016 — Jim and Carol Owens

2017 — Carlla Pike, Kalin Taylor, and Rob Carroll’s Sandblasting & Painting

2018 — Christopher and Mitchell Gingher

2019 — Jill Hunter

2020 — Mike Evinger

2021 — Anita Judd-Jenkins and Foss Farrar

2022 — Rags Smith