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Politics & Government

Deadline Nears for Character Counts Award Nominations

Following the Feb. 28 nomination deadline, the committee will award spring winners April 12.

Time is beginning to run short for this spring’s nominations for the Character Counts Awards.

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 28, as the award ceremony is to take place on April 12. The awards are presented two times a year to outstanding citizens of all age groups. The Character Counts committee will review the nominations and make their announcements of the winners.

The Character Counts program is now in its 11th year and has continued under the leadership of its founders, Principal Dr. Robert Freado, Township Manager Michael Silvestri and Peters Township Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Carol Foley.

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“Dr. Freado pretty much initiated the program to begin with,” Foley said. “The idea was to start at an early age to teach kids what character is all about.”

Freado contacted Foley and Silvestri, who formed the nucleus of Character Counts. The three then contacted a number of other people in the community, whom they felt would embrace the program. They formed the basis for the Character Counts committee, which now meets monthly at various locations for lunch.

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Foley recalled that the first year involved getting the group’s “feet on the ground” and initiating programs. Speakers were brought in for parents and students in the schools to provide timely information.

Foley said the core group has remained intact over the years, and interest in Character Counts and the awards program has been renewed.

“It’s been a great initiative and we always try to come up with new programs that will maintain interest,” she said. She added that the committee is currently developing a program on “Ethics in Business,” which will be made available to the community.

Silvestri said the awards program was designed to recognize students, residents and organizations that have demonstrated commitment to ideals of respect, responsibility and honesty.

“We look for people who are doing things above and beyond their regular duties, and have gone the extra step,” Silvestri said. “There are a lot of people doing good things in the community, such as volunteers and teachers who have gone the extra mile.”

Nomination forms for this spring’s Character Counts Award are available at the Peters Township Municipal Building, at the Chamber of Commerce offices and in the schools. They are also available on the Peters Township website.

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