UNITED WAY OF MARTIN COUNTY || MARTIN VOLUNTEERS || CHARACTER COUNTS! || FOUNDATION || TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY

Picture proof of CHARACTER COUNTS! for local boys and girls

PRESS RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 15, 2009

Members of the East Stuart branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County really believe that character counts – and now there is an award-winning picture to prove it!

On Thursday, officials with the CHARACTER COUNTS! national office gave top honors to a photo taken during the Clubs’ celebration of this year’s CHARACTER COUNTS! week in Martin County . To see the photo, log on to: http://charactercounts.org/programs/ccweek/Photo-Contest_CCweekWinner_2008.html

By winning first place in the national contest, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County received a $200 gift certificate to Best Buy, which was matched by a $200 donation from CHARACTER COUNTS! of Martin County.

“It’s great to see creative, fun ways to teach Martin County ’s children about character,” said Holly Laiben, the director of CHARACTER COUNTS!, which is a United Way agency. “And we’re thrilled to have the national recognition for this great celebration!”

The photo, taken by Suzanne Wentley, the outreach coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, featured Club members participating in a balloon race organized by Club Program Coordinator Samantha Binns.

About 50 children were able to participate after demonstrating good character at the Club. They were asked to wear shirts in the colors that matched the six pillars of character – blue for trustworthiness, yellow for respect, green for responsibility, orange for fairness, red for caring and purple for citizenship. Each child then received a balloon, with a tag with an explanation of CHARACTER COUNTS! and the child’s name.

“The children had a blast releasing their balloons. The one that went the farthest, won. balloon that went the farther won,” said Wentley, who is also on the CHARACTER COUNTS! Advisory Board.

“But all of Martin County won because we also spread the word of good character.”The trained youth professionals of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County teach CHARACTER COUNTS! lessons throughout the year, as good character is crucial to children becoming productive, caring and responsible adults.

Wentley said the Club plan to spend the $400 on building a multi-media recording studio at the East 10^th Street Recreation Center, where the Boys & Girls Club runs in conjunction with the City of the Stuart Parks & Recreation Department, the City of Stuart Police Department and Tykes & Teens. The goal is to attract more teens into the Club and off the streets.

For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County , please call the administrative offices at (772) 545-1255. To learn more about CHARACTER COUNTS!, please call the United Way at (772) 283-4800.

ABOUT CHARACTER COUNTS!

CHARACTER COUNTS! is a program of United Way of Martin County that provides character-building activities and projects in schools and civic organizations. CHARACTER COUNTS!, in its 12th year in Martin County, presents motivational business seminars and works to increase public awareness of the importance of core ethical values.

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