Martin County observed National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week from Oct. 19 to 25 with banners, youth activities and the awarding of $10,000 in mini-grants.

Following are some of the events that took place locally for National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week:

• All schools in the Martin County School District participated in activities celebrating CHARACTER COUNTS! Week, as well as Red Ribbon Week, a national drug prevention campaign. A few of the highlights included:

• On Oct. 22 and 23, Citrus Grove Elementary and Pinewood Elementary kindergartners celebrated “saying no to drugs” during their physical education classes with Elroy the Elk of the Stuart Elks Lodge.

• Kindergarten students wore their CHARACTER COUNTS! T-shirts sponsored by Lively Orthodontics and Ampersand Graphics.

• CHARACTER COUNTS! announced the recipients of 20 mini-grants totaling $10,000. These grants will enable educators to implement, enhance and expand school-based and character-building projects.

• CHARACTER COUNTS! business and community partners flew CHARACTER COUNTS! flags and CHARACTER COUNTS! street pole banners lined downtown Stuart.

• CHARACTER COUNTS! in Martin County kicked off the celebration a month early with four performances by the national traveling troupe Primary Focus. The group entertains youngsters using an interactive educational format focusing on the nationally recognized Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The group performed at Hope Rural School, Warfield Elementary, J.D. Parker School of Science, Math & Technology and Pinewood Elementary.

Although highly identified with 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,” CHARACTER COUNTS! Director Holly Laiben said in underscoring the importance of the program.

For more information regarding CHARACTER COUNTS!, please visit www.charactercounts.net or call (772) 283-4800, ext. 234.

CHARACTER COUNTS! is a program of the United Way of Martin County.