Two decades ago, the people of Queen Anne’s County identified the significance of positive character traits and committed to integrating these values into their daily lives. In a continued effort to foster a community guided by strong ethical principles, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners officially embraced the “Six Pillars of Character” in 2000, solidifying Queen Anne’s County as a “Character Counts!” community.

Character Counts!, an initiative advocating for the adoption and embodiment of the Six Pillars—trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship—has been instrumental in shaping the moral fabric of our community. This ongoing commitment aims to promote character development and ethical behavior among all corporate and individual citizens.

The collaborative efforts between Character Counts! and the Queen Anne’s County public school system have proven immensely successful. Over 100,000 character education experiences have been delivered to children, facilitated by an impressive cohort of over 1,500 volunteer character coaches and mentors.

“I have been a Character Counts! Coach in the past and the experience of working in the classroom gives great satisfaction, said County Commissioner Phil Dumenil. If you are on the fence about signing up to be a coach, please do it! The experience is truly amazing.”

Local businesses, organizations, and nonprofits have played a pivotal role in advancing the mission of Character Counts! These entities have actively participated as Businesses of Character, offering volunteer support and financial contributions and spreading the crucial message of good character throughout our community. Through the unwavering dedication of Character Counts!, Queen Anne’s County strives to strengthen personal character traits, foster families of character, and build a more cohesive and ethically sound community. In recognition of the 23rd anniversary of Character Counts!, the Queen Anne’s County Board of County Commissioners invites all citizens to celebrate this milestone. Let us commemorate the enduring impact of Character Counts! in shaping a community guided by values and ethical principles.

For more information about Character Counts! and its initiatives, please visit https://www.peopleofcharacter.org/.