CHARACTER COUNTS! recently held
a tree dedication ceremony in memory of founding
members Joe Kordick and Charlene Hoag.
Friends, family and supporters
gathered for the ceremony, which was part of the
yearlong observation of the 10th
anniversary of CHARACTER COUNTS! Martin County.
Martin County was a pioneer in
implementing a character-building program in local
schools and throughout the community. The local
CHARACTER COUNTS! coalition was founded in 1995 by
the following community leaders (with the positions
they held then): Kevin Henderson, mayor of Stuart;
Sara Wilcox, superintendent of schools; Susan
Hershey, city commissioner; Circuit Judge Larry
Schack; and the late Charlene Hoag, county
commissioner, and Joe Kordick, retired Ford
executive.
“This important milestone was
reached thanks to the ongoing support of educators,
businesses, government, and residents,” said program
director, Terri May. “The tree will serve as a
permanent reminder of Charlene and Joe’s dedication
and service to our community.”
The tree is planted at Hospital
Pond Park near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard
and Palm Beach Road in Stuart. It is part of the
City of Stuart Beautification Project started in
June 2005 by the real estate firm of Fenton Lang
Bruner and Associates to replace the tabebuia trees
destroyed by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.
CHARACTER COUNTS!, now in its 10th
year in Martin County, provides character-building
activities and projects in schools and civic
organizations. CC! presents motivational business
seminars and works to increase public awareness of the
importance of core ethical values.
