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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 10th 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. |
