Gaithersburg Announces Celebration of 'Character Counts!'

From the City of Gaithersburg: A year’s worth of activities to celebrate Gaithersburg’s twenty years of involvement with the Character Counts! program culminates in a community reception on Wednesday, May 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.at Gaithersburg Middle School, located at 2 Teachers Way. Winners of student essay, poster and photo contests will receive awards, and there will be recognition for the donors who support the City’s Character Counts! initiatives. RSVPs are requested by April 24 to shanthi.srinivasachar@gaithersburgmd.gov, 240-805-1827.

Gaithersburg officially became a Character Counts! City in 1996, participating in this national program that encourages ethical behavior by reinforcing the values of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Over the years, character education has been infused in many City programs and events, exposing thousands of young people to these ethical concepts, and encouraging adults to model the behavior and keep the momentum going.

The anniversary celebration was launched in May of 2016 with the dedication of a public art sculpture depicting former Mayor W. Edward Bohrer, Jr., who was instrumental in bringing this program to Gaithersburg. Other activities over the past twelve months have included units marching in the Labor Day Parade, activities at Celebrate! Gaithersburg and the Gaithersburg Book Festival, activities during the City’s summer camp programs, youth group fundraisers to support the scholarship program, and involvement in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Information about the yearlong anniversary celebration, along with the winning posters and essays, can be found here.

Click here to see this event on the Patch Calendar.

Image via Pixabay