CHARACTER COUNTS! recently recognized six outstanding community members with the fourth annual Employee Pillar of Character Awards.

Each year, colleagues and employers nominate unsung heroes of the workplace who exemplify the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Caring, Citizenship, Fairness and Responsibility.

 “CHARACTER COUNTS! established this awards program for workers who set good examples regularly,” said Holly Laiben, the CHARACTER COUNTS! director at United Way of Martin County. “Many employees have strong values and go above and beyond their job description on a daily basis and never receive recognition. These awards help to fill that void.”

This year, CHARACTER COUNTS! received 31 nominations from a variety of businesses, schools and nonprofit agencies.

Following are this year’s Employee Pillars of Character, with excerpts from their nomination letters. Each of the six winners received a gift basket and a plaque. The items were sponsored by the Law Offices of David Golden PA.

• Connie Bailes -- Firm administrator at Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Beard, Sobel, Bush & McCluskey LLP
  “Connie exhibits each of the Six Pillars of Character throughout her work and personal life. Her trustworthiness and integrity are above reproach. She shows respect to all without regard to gender, race, net worth or status in the community. Connie Bailes is more than just a caring employee – she is a caring person.” – Maryellen Castellano

• Marie DeGrosa – Administrative office manager for Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin Memorial Health Systems
  “If you’re lucky, once in your life you meet someone like Marie DeGrosa … someone who defines compassion and caring … someone who is willing to give of themselves not for a paycheck, but because it’s the right thing to do.” – Cindy Pingolt

• Carla DiGeronimo – CNA at Treasure Coast Hospice
  “Treasure Coast Hospice’s mission is to provide compassionate, comprehensive, high-quality care to patients with life-limiting illness and/or life-threatening illnesses and those who share their lives. Carla is an example of this mission statement in the care she provides to all.” – Cynthia Warren

• Vickie Donaghy – Reading teacher at Indiantown Middle School
  “Students realize you care about them when you treat them equally and always make time to listen to what they care about. Vickie offers her students the ability to be themselves without fear of retribution because the bond of trust is present. Her students know the pillars of success (character) because they are modeled every day by their classmates and teacher.” – Elizabeth Fagley

• Susan Neary – Store manager for Caring Children, Clothing Children (The 4C’s)
  “Susan is the most dedicated, loyal and trustworthy employee. She is fair to all of the clients that she sees, giving them the benefit of the doubt and explaining store policy to them in a way that is both respectful and comprehendible. She is equally as respectful to each and every volunteer that comes through the door, taking the time to make them feel welcomed and appreciated.” – Gigi Suntum

• Antonio Silvestre – Teacher and parenting class instructor at Hope Rural School
  “The Hope Rural family and the extended neighborhood organizations know Antonio Silvestre, also known affectionately by his students as ‘Coach,’ as one who serves as leader, advocate and ally in this multicultural community of Indiantown. All are proud to claim him as a true pillar of the community and a hometown hero.” – Sister Mary Dooley

Other nominees include:
Sarah Delgadillo – Martin Memorial Health Systems, School Nurse Program
Wendy Dick – Awareness Technology
Jean Ferreira – J.D. Parker School
Terry Foley – Jensen Beach Elementary
Kelly George – South Fork High School
Leslie Haviland-Smith – United for Families
Debbie Johns – J.D. Parker School
Chief Henry Johnson – Martin County Fire Rescue
Debra Jones – Port Salerno Elementary
Helen Kelly – Catholic Charities
Peggy Mannering – Martin County School District, VACE
Anne McCormick – Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County
Karen McCormick – DeSantis Commercial Realtors
Kathryn Moon – Treasure Coast Hospice
Jacki Nardone – Treasure Coast Hospice
Tammy Nolan – J.D. Parker School
Maurine Prokop – Pinewood Elementary
Todd Russo – Hobe Sound Elementary
Angela Rausch – J.D. Parker School
Peaches Schuerman – J.D. Parker School
Bonnie Sciscente – Martin County School District, Food and Nutrition Services
Joan Simplicio – Murray Middle School
Cathy Skelly – Treasure Coast Hospice
Donna Skillings – Martin County Health Department, School Health program
Patty Wohlrab – Harmony Healing Arts

ABOUT CHARACTER COUNTS!

CHARACTER COUNTS!, now in its 12th year in Martin County, provides character-building activities and projects in schools and civic organizations. CC! presents motivational business seminars and works to increase public awareness of the importance of core ethical values. CHARACTER COUNTS! is a program of United Way of Martin County.

For more information regarding CHARACTER COUNTS!, please visit www.charactercounts.net or call (772) 283-4800, ext. 234.