How do you choose a charity to support, not only during the holiday, but during the year? There are many to choose from that's for sure! All we ask is that you do some research before you dig into your pocket to see where your hard earned money is going? Does it go to staff salary? Does it go to a program? Does it benefit the community in which you live? These are a few questions raised through the year as I myself donate to charity. Here at Characters of Character we pride our organization in the fact that the work we do is accomplished through volunteers. Our volunteers have spent countless hours helping with events, marketing, graphic design work, newsletters, social media and everything involved to run a business. Why? Because they believe in our mission: "To provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values" and they have seen the outcome when children and families meet the Characters of Character.

In 2005 I piloted the characters in an elementary school where they earned a National Promising Practice Award. This not only was an honor, but also an accomplishment as there were only two schools in the state of Illinois to earn this Award. So, in 2007 I took a leave of absence from the school to form this 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit organization. However, the economy was failing, my husband was in construction and I had to return to teaching. He has since then landed a wonderful job and said to me, "Joni, go do you" and so here I am, creating, writing, sharing and teaching with  no looking back. Full steam ahead if you will! We have accomplished so much and there is still so much to be accomplished. Keep in mind that all three of our adult children are very supportive of this organization, too! We are a grateful family trying to make a difference in the world.

We are very proud to share with you our new products, such as the SuperHero Character Building Kit Now Available on line. These make great gift ideas! Click here to learn more about this item.

Click here to learn about our ID Badges and become a part of CofC Superhero Society Today!

Click here to learn about our Friends are Boo-tiful Halloween Watercolor Kit!

Click here to learn about our Kindness watercolor Painting Kit! 

Click here to learn about Behavior Bear Watercolor Activity Kit!

Click here to learn about our Character Shirts!

Click here to learn about our Kind Tee shirts and Sweatshirt!

Click here if you would still like to learn more about the Characters of Character. As you'll soon see, the Characters of Character has an important message to share with children, to empower communities and to engage families. Teaching vital core values is something that should never go out of style. Be a role model, be an encourage, be of good character at all times, you never know when a child is listening to you, watching you and would like to be just like you when they grow up. So once again we ask, be mindful of the Charities that you donate to. We hope that you find value in our work, our materials, our messages and all we do to make a difference in the life of a child  not only during the Holiday Season, but each and everyday. Thank you
Joni

Our character Do'er Duck teaches children perseverance and to NEVER GIVE UP. When the Characters of Character were piloted, one of the students dressed as Do'er Duck for Halloween, Megan is now a teacher herself and of good character at that! You can purchase the new coloring book on Amazon here.

You can learn more about the Characters of Character and Do'er Duck here.

October is National Bully Prevention Month. I myself find it disheartening that we have a month dedicated to the topic of bullying. This tell us that there is a problem, when a month recognizes a topic, be it diabetes, breast cancer awareness, etc. When there is cause for prevention, there is a cause. So, let's teach our children to not bully, not be a bully and how to help others who are bullied.

October is National Bully Prevention Month. I myself find it disheartening that we have a month dedicated to the topic of bullying. This tell us that there is a problem, when a month recognizes a topic, be it diabetes, breast cancer awareness, etc. When there is cause for prevention, there is a cause. So, let's teach our children to not bully, not be a bully and how to help others who are bullied.

Warm-Hearted Walrus is one of the nine Characters of Character as shown above. This character teaches children to be kind, compassionate, not to bully and how to be of good character. I host a painting class at the Grayslake Park District once a month and this is the trait for October. You can register online to come paint along with me and learn about Warm-Hearted Walrus on October 19th from 10:00-11:00. Ages 1-5 with an adult and ages 6-10 welcome!

We BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN ARE SUPER! The Characters of Character now has a Superhero Activity Box which is available on line and mailed to your doorstep for your own children to about the Characters of Character. A simple, fun, engaging and empowering way to discuss good character.

Children learn in different ways, I'm a visual person, so, I love to paint, color, draw and write. Others may enjoy reading, talking, art, etc. No matter how we learn, it's important to expose our children to different mediums so that the are excited to learn. Our newest product are the CofC Superhero Society Badges! Children love to wear them, they are reminded to be of good character and they can collect all nine, share them with a friend, and spark a conversation about the character and what they each represent. Also available online.

Let's Make The World Better Together! You can reach me at jonidowney310@gmail.com
Characters of Character is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values. Your support is appreciated.
If your child is in Scouts, I love to paint with the Troops, or elementary classes as well as early childhood classes. Just reach out!