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For about two and a half hours on Thursday afternoon, the sound of honking horns could be heard around both Valley and Lanett as the Circle of Care drove 11 cars throughout the community a show of support.

“It was good. Enough people came out, and they were on their porches and waving. I think they really enjoyed it,” Family Resource Specialist and Case Manager Kea Costley said. “It was something a little different. It’s kind of been monotonous with everyone staying home.”

All 11 cars were dressed up with some type of decoration,  whether it was blue painter’s tape, balloons, signs or paint. One car also had a speaker blaring out different types of music. Some of the families in the cars brought pinwheels and balloons to have more fun. Unfortunately, the balloons weren’t able to stay on the cars for the entire drive.

Shortly before starting the caravan at 2:30 p.m., the group got together to make sure all the cars were decorated.

“It was really easy to do,” Costley said.

One of the 11 drivers was Shannon Boyd, the Circle of Care Program supervisor.

“It was good to get out and see everyone again,” Boyd said. “We just wanted to show the community our support and that we are all in this together.”

The caravan of 11 cars started from the Circle of Care center and went through different neighborhoods, making stops at Valley Housing Authority, Cahaba Heights, Crystal Springs among others. It also went past Lanett and Valley City Halls, the Valley fire station and East Alabama Medical Center to show support for the essential workers.

Alongside showing support for the community during COVID-19, the Circle of Care also wanted to bring attention to child abuse and neglect, as April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Circle of Care usually is able to do different events throughout the month, but they were unable to due to COVID-19.

“It’s especially important this year amidst COVID-19 as families are stressed, finances and relationships are strained, and there are high levels of anxiety, depression, isolation and substance abuse,” Circle of Care Executive Director Jonathan Hurston said in a press release.

Circle of Care is a nonprofit organization started in 1996 with a mission to offer programs and services designed to strengthen and support families while improving the quality of life and promoting the safety and well-being of children in the community.