Press release date: Sept. 23, 2005

The local celebration of National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week will be even more special this year as the program celebrates its 10th anniversary in Martin County.

CHARACTER COUNTS! is a program of the United Way of Martin County and was founded in 1995 by community leaders Kevin Henderson, mayor of Stuart; Sara Wilcox, superintendent of schools; Susan Hershey, city commissioner; Circuit Court Judge Larry Schack; the late Charlene Hoag, county commissioner; and the late Joe Kordick, a retired Ford executive.

“Martin County was a pioneer in implementing a character building program in our schools years before it was mandated by the state of Florida,” said Terri May, director of CHARACTER COUNTS! “Our community embraced the vision of the original founders and thanks to the ongoing support of educators, businesses, government and residents, we have reached this important milestone.”

Following are some of the events planned locally for National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week, October 16-22.

• Every Martin County public school will display large banners that students created, depicting one or more of the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, citizenship.

• CC! will present “Herding Cats Is Not Impossible.” This business forum will offer advice on how to maximize the productivity of every employee and minimize the time lost to personality issues. The forum will be held 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 20 at the Wolf High-Technology Center, IRCC Chastain Campus. The cost is $49 per person and includes materials and a continental breakfast. Register by contacting Terri May at (772) 283-4800, ext. 234, or tmay@unitedwaymartincounty.org.

• CC! will help kick off the Foundations for Life Essay Contest through the Boys & Girls Clubs.

• McDonalds will provide CHARACTER COUNTS! information to customers at its Martin County locations.

• The Martin County Board of County Commissioners and School District will present a proclamation.

• CC! street pole banners will line downtown Stuart.

• A recognition breakfast will honor founding CC! board members.

One of those founding board members, Joe Kordick, left an important legacy. He funded the annual Joe Kordick Youth Character Awards, which reward students in middle and high school with cash and savings bonds to help them achieve their life and educational goals. His wife, Phyllis, has taken on a tremendous leadership role in CHARACTER COUNTS!, including organizing the “Tee it up for Character” fund-raising golf tournament held each the spring.

Although highly identified in schools, CHARACTER COUNTS! is a program for all ages and walks of life. The program is embraced by government, law enforcement and businesses in Martin County.

“In a world of increased violence, corporate scandals and cynicism, it is critical that we all share the responsibility of building a strong ethical foundation in our youth in addition to being positive role models ourselves at home and at work,” Ms. May said in underscoring the importance of the program.