Dedicated Iowans who continue to demonstrate the six pillars of character will be recognized this week for their efforts. Amy Smit is spokeswoman for the Institute for Character Development which is hosting Iowa’s annual celebration of "Character Counts!"
The third annual awards on Friday night are the going to honor 16 Iowans. The awards are based on six elements which the winners display — caring, citizenship, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility and fairness. Smit says the winners were chosen from among some 200 nominees statewide.
She says some 150 volunteers went through all of the nominations and spent all of February reviewing them to narrow it down to 16 winners, who she calls "fantastic Iowans." Smit says the winners come from diverse backgrounds from all over the state.
They range from a 92-year-old foster grandparent to another lady who sews more than 200 quilts per year for the homeless, or a group of students that started a school recycling program. The awards will be presented Friday at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines. The ceremony is open to the public.