For Hometown News
MARTIN COUTNY -
United Way of Martin County's CHARACTER COUNTS! program celebrated 17 years of developing individual and community character during the week of Oct. 21- 27.
The positive impact the nonprofit continues to have in the county was observed in local schools and the community with special activities, educational programs and recognitions.
All schools participated in activities celebrating CHARACTER COUNTS! week and Red Ribbon week, a national drug prevention campaign.
Lively Orthodontics and Ampersand Shirt Shack also provided T-shirts to kindergarten students in the Martin County School District, Hope Rural School, Hope Center for Autism and Sandy Pines.
CHARACTER COUNTS! mini-grants, totaling more than $13,500, were presented to staff at Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, Caring Children Clothing Children, Challenger School, Citrus Grove elementary, Clark Advanced Learning Center, Dunbar Center, Father & Child Resource Center, Hidden Oaks Middle School, Hope Rural School, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Jensen Beach Elementary School, Martin County School exceptional student education department, Palm City Elementary School, J D Parker School of Science, Math & Technology and Tykes & Teens.
These grants will enable educators and agency staff to implement, enhance and expand school-based, character-building projects.
The Quilt of Valor, created by students of Elev8Hope and funded through a CHARACTER COUNTS! mini-grant written by Tykes & Teen prevention services, was presented during the opening day ceremonies for the Vietnam travelling memorial.
Sponsored in part by CHARACTER COUNTS! and Tykes & Teens, Chris Hollyfield presented his anti-bullying program at Dr. David L Anderson, Stuart, Indiantown and Murray middle schools and Spectrum School.
Hobe Sound Elementary School celebrated the pillars of character, while downtown Stuart celebrated by hanging street pole banners.
Seacoast National Bank was awarded the second annual business of character award at the Business Development Board of Martin County's business recognition luncheon in September. Finalists, the law firms of Crary-Buchanan and Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, were also recognized.
Nominations for the Employee Pillar of Character award, sponsored by The Firefly Group, are now being accepted.
Six outstanding employees will be recognized at their places of business in early December. Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.charactercounts.net.
Although highly identified with schools, CHARACTER COUNTS!, is an initiative for people of all ages and walks of life. The program is embraced by government, law enforcement and businesses in Martin County.
For more information, visit www.charactercounts.net or call (772) 283-4800, Ext. 234.