Welcome to Orangeburg County Community of Character
EVENTS
Midlands Gives and GivingTuesdayNow
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Join us in this annual online day of giving. This year we're participating in Midlands Gives and a special national GivingTuesday event to help make change in our community. You can too! To learn more and to give, please go to www.midlandsgives.org/OrangeburgCountyCommunityofCharacter
Read Across America Program
Friday, March 6, 2020
19th Annual Fifth Grade Outstanding Character Recognition Program
Orangeburg County Community of Character will hold their 19th Annual Fifth Grade Outstanding Character Recognition Program on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 9:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. at Claflin University’s Jonas T. Kennedy Center. This 19th event coincides with the organization’s 20th anniversary year and brings together fifth graders from all across Orangeburg County and recognizes those who have exemplified outstanding character. Over 1,300 students are expected. 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 is most important in today’s world; and these students are recognized among their parents, peers, and other distinguished guests during the program. The essays are also published in the souvenir program booklet. Over the years, students have heard and engaged in inspiring messages from local and nationally recognized presenters. This year, Mr. Hayward R. Jean, will provide motivational messages of inspiration as the keynote speaker. Mr. Jean is the principal at Mellichamp Elementary School. He has received multiple honors for outstanding leadership in education. He is a youth empowerer, motivational speaker, and author. The Claflin University Concert Choir and the Edisto Elementary Sensational Singers are among those providing music. The public is invited.
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.
Contact us for more specific information on how to participate.