A Day In May
May day, May day here we are, you snuck up on us like a shooting star! It seems like yesterday you were no where in sight, then all of a sudden you you show your might! The April showers while sparse for some, others ran in the puddles and had some fun! May flowers bloom, and birds sing their songs and here's hoping that we can get a long.
Good morning, my name is Joni Downey, I like to rhyme, I love to teach I'm creative on some days and always aware that there are children who need us, somewhere. I'm the creator of Characters of Character NFP. While our children were growing up I was a Teaching Assistant and member of the schools Reading Team in Illinois. I had an opportunity to Pilot my characters which went on to earn a National Promising Practice Award and while as exciting as that was, I had no idea the impact that these characters would have on our children and youth.
I took a leave of absence from the school to form a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in hopes to reach more children with the characters than in the classroom. Never did I imagine that we would touch so many lives, impact so many children in engaging conversations, character building activities and build a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values. But, here we are! Keep in mind that my original thought was to have a space of our own to invite the community in and host Mommy & Me painting classes, workshops for children and youth and share our characters with others. However, life as we know takes many twists, lots of turns and we wind up just where we are suppose to be!
In late 2021 we moved here to Tennessee and live in Robertson County. After receiving a grant from the Nashville Predators to donate our Superhero Character building activity boxes to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital my husband and I took it as a sign to relocate. And, guess what? No regrets! Tennessee is stuck with us because the people, the places and the smiling faces have warmed our hearts and embraced us.
In this short time here, we have now donated our Superhero Character Building activity boxes the following locations here in Tennessee, while we are still registered in Illinois and donate there as well, Tennessee is now our home.
The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
The Dolly Parton Children's Hospital (East TN. original)
The Kids Rainbow Clinic in Clarksville
Robertson County YMCA
Rutherford County YMCA
East Tennessee YMCA
Grace and Pride Prep. School in Clarksville, plus Social Workers in Clarksville
Fort Campbell Army Base
As you might imagine, these boxes are requested once they have been received because they bring a calm to a frightened child who is in the hospital, they bring joy to the staff who share them, at a hospital and other locations. This. Is. My. Purpose. I use my Ph.d., my Passion, my Heart and my Determination to make a difference in the life of a child.
Who are some of our supporters and donors you may know?
Lauren Akins and Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Fall Out Boy (Comers Children's Hospital in Chicago)
Chicago (met them, brought boxes to Shriner's in Chicago)
Nashville Predators Foundation
Overwatch Alliance
Coca-Cola and others. You can see who here.
A Visit
When we visit a location for classes, I start off with a story about the character and the trait, we have a discussion on the trait and do an art project. Here we made Manners Monkey paper bag puppets and as you can tell, the kids are happy and my heart is full!
Other locations we have donated Superhero Character building activity boxes to are…..
Ann and Robert Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago
Northwestern Medicine in McHenry, DuPage, Chicago and Huntley
Shriner’s in Chicago
Nemours in Deleware
Texas Children’s Hospital
Comer’s Children’s Hospital
Rush in Chicago
If you would like to become a part of our projects, if you know anyone who would, any corporations, musicians, businesses or people to support Superhero boxes, please reach out to me here. to learn more about Characters of Character, we'd love to meet you. And, if you would like to donate to our organizaiton, click here. If you would like to meet the characters, click here.
Behind the Scenes Most Days
Writing grants, newsletters, blogs, social media, new books, fulfilling boxes, networking, book work and emails are exhausting! All part of what needs to be done to make a difference in the life of a child. Would it be easy, no. Would it be worth it, yes! A thousand times, YES!
Me, I'll be waiting to hear from you!
Miss Joni and Team Characters
The Power of a HUG…
This photo, as you can see, I was exhausted!! Not my favorite picture, but, the difference we made that day is embedded in my heart and a hug is just what this little boy needed. As we moved on from the discussion of Perseverance with our character Do'er Duck, we made a paper bag puppet and colored, and this youngster just comes up to me and melts into my arms......if you know me, I am a hugger! Now I always say that we are making a difference, one child at a time and this example speaks volumes.