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Celebrate CHARACTER COUNTS! week in Martin County

PRESS RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 14, 2009

Demonstrating good character just got a little more important in Martin County.

As part of national CHARACTER COUNTS! week, CHARACTER COUNTS! in Martin County was issued a public proclamation during the Martin County Board of County Commissioners October board meeting declaring the week of Oct. 18 to 24 as CHARACTER COUNTS! week in Martin County.

The proclamation encourages Martin County residents to incorporate the Six Pillars of Character – Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship – into their relationships in an ongoing commitment to promote character development and ethical behavior in the community.

“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 at home and at work,” CHARACTER COUNTS! Director Holly Laiben said.

The following is a list of events taking place during CHARACTER COUNTS! week: 

  • All schools in the Martin County School District will participate in activities celebrating CHARACTER COUNTS! week and Red Ribbon week, a national drug prevention campaign. A few of the highlights include:

    • Clark Advanced Learning Center will honor its student of the month for trustworthiness on Oct. 21 and will hold a door decorating contest, “Using Substances is Against My Character.”

    • Citrus Grove Elementary and Pinewood Elementary kindergartners will celebrate “saying no to drugs” during their physical education classes with Elroy the Elk of the Stuart Elks Lodge.

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

  • Recipients of 17 mini-grants totaling $10,000 will be announced. These grants will enable educators to implement, enhance and expand school-based and character-building projects.

  • CHARACTER COUNTS! is teaming up with 76 Golf World Family Fun Center on Oct. 24, for a family mini-golf tournament. 

  • CHARACTER COUNTS! business and community partners will fly CHARACTER COUNTS! flags, and CHARACTER COUNTS! street pole banners will line the streets in downtown Stuart.

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

Call (772) 283-4800, ext. 234 or visit www.charactercounts.net for more information about CHARACTER COUNTS! and CHARACTER COUNTS! week activities.