EVENTS

Midlands Gives

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Join us in this annual online day of giving. We're participating in Midlands Gives again to help make change in our community. You can too! To learn more and to give, please go to www.midlandsgives.org/OrangeburgCountyCommunityofCharacter

20th Annual Fifth Grade Outstanding Character Recognition Program

Friday, April 16, 2021

Orangeburg County Community of Character will hold their 20th Annual Fifth Grade Outstanding Character Recognition Program virtually on Friday, April 16, 2021 at 9:30a.m. This event brings together fifth graders from all across Orangeburg County and recognizes those who have exemplified outstanding character. Over 1,300 students are expected to participate. Participating schools include Orangeburg County School District elementary schools, Felton Laboratory Charter School, and Orangeburg Preparatory Schools. Claflin University is the Host Sponsor.

Students, faculty, administrators, public officials and special guests will share and hear messages promoting good character while enjoying great music and entertainment. Each school has selected an honoree who embodies excellence in character and has also written an essay on what character trait they feel they have had to demonstrate more during the pandemic. Over the years, students have heard and engaged in inspiring messages from local and nationally recognized presenters. This year, Coach Tony Elliott, will provide motivational messages of inspiration as the keynote speaker. Coach Elliott is the Assistant Head Football Coach at Clemson University. The public is invited.

Speaking Out! Standing Up!

Friday, February 26, 2021

“SPEAKING OUT! STANDING UP!”, a Gang Prevention and Intervention event will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021. This virtual event is being sponsored by the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety in collaboration with Orangeburg County Community of Character, the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department, and Orangeburg County School District. Over 7100 Orangeburg County School District students are expected to participate. There will be two live streamed events. The first event will take place at 9:00a.m. for grades 5 through 8; and the second event will begin at 10:15a.m. for grades 9 through 12. Each event is designed to be age appropriate to address the needs of respective students and issues they may confront.

David “DAVYNE” Dantzler is the featured speaker. The Orangeburg native is an author, mentor, motivational speaker, recording artist, and founder of Through the Ropes University, LLC. Davyne, a.k.a. “SC Greatest”, is one of the newly acclaimed hip hop conscience rap artists that has emerged in recent years. He has worked with popular artist like LL Cool J to Lil’ Wayne, had career chart topping hits, and has been signed to major record labels. A near fatal car accident in August 2009 changed his life and his career in the music industry. From that wreckage, Good News Music was birthed, where he uses his story of the many challenges he has overcome and his belief system, to relate to young men and women who are subjected to peer pressure and stressors of daily life. Since that day, Davyne has devoted his life, plans, vision, purpose, and music to uplifting his fellow man. He uses an innovative method of delivering his inspiring and motivational messages through rhyme format, spoken word and song. His first album was built on these methods which he shares as he tours the United States spreading messages of hope and inspiration. He founded Through the Ropes University as a means to help young people avoid the challenges and pitfalls that he witnessed firsthand. He created this institution of empowerment to encourage everyone to celebrate each goal accomplished in their life, “No matter how small or BIG”.

Darrion Cockrell, Missouri’s 2020 Teacher of the Year, and a former gang member, will also make a video appearance with a special message for Orangeburg County students. Mr. Cockrell’s story has gained national attention for his impact with students and the community. Other inspirational appearances and messages are planned.

Students will also be given instruction on how to access additional resources following the event. A permanent virtual resource board will remain available on student platforms for future use. Resources include more information about gangs, mentoring programs, and available services. Students will have an opportunity to sign a “Say No to Gang Life” pledge.

All students in Orangeburg County School District have been provided with virtual access information to participate. The public may view the livestream event via the Orangeburg County School District website, or website and Facebook platforms for Orangeburg County Community of Character and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety.

Giving Tuesday

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Join us in this annual online day of giving. #GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in countries around the world.
Millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

Go to: orangeburgcharacter.org/give to help make a difference

Read Across America Program

Friday, March 6, 2020

Global Character Day

Character Day is an annual event that unites millions of people in schools, companies, and homes to develop and deepen their character (strengths like empathy, grit, gratitude, and leadership). Why? Because character development leads not only to school and career success, but also to stronger, more engaged individuals and a more just world. We’ve already signed up for the sixth annual Character Day. Last year, over 4 million people across 200,000 groups in 125 countries and all 50 states participated in Character Day. And last year, Orangeburg County Community of Character led the county’s third year of participation with increased school and business participation. And we want to grow participation in this important dialogue.

Character Day is a global initiative where groups around the world screen films on the science of character development from different perspectives, dive into free printed discussion materials, and join an online global conversation around the importance of developing character strengths (resilience, grit, empathy, courage, kindness, etc.)–all rooted in evidence-based research. This particular initiative was developed and is offered through Let It Ripple, a California based nonprofit that uses cloud filmmaking to tell stories for global change. This year, new Character Day resources focus on the relationship between character and technology. How does technology enhance our character development? How does turning off the screens enhance our character? In addition, the classic Character Day resources remain and are available (including films, hands-on discussion kits, online resources, and a Global LiveCast Q&A featuring prominent leaders). You may participate as an individual, as a small group (family, friends, classroom, group of colleagues), or as an entire school or company. Participation is free, and all of the films and resources are deeply backed by evidence-based research and science.

Welcome to Orangeburg County Community of Character "Character Matters!"