A single person can sometimes work wonders. Here is a letter we received in August 2003 from one such individual:

“Dear Mr. Josephson and the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition:

“My name is Niki Wartenburg and I currently hold the title Miss Global America 2003. Over a year ago, through community service efforts as Miss Horry County (MAO), I saw a dire need for character education within South Carolina communities. To my dismay South Carolina was not involved with your national CC! Coalition. So, I decided to begin the foundation in hopes that it will one day become a statewide effort in South Carolina.

“Last year I committed to over 1,000 community service hours in implementing CC!, T.E.A.M. and character education, and I continue to do so to this day. I knew I had to make a strong impact on South Carolina in showing our communities there is a critical need for character education. Therefore I contacted all my legislators, senators and governor to issue a Proclamation in establishing National CC! Week within South Carolina. Unfortunately last year this did not happen. However, it is with overwhelming happiness that I can say this year it has. With a new governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, I now have a formal Proclamation for the establishment of CC! Week October 19-25, 2003 in South Carolina .

“In addition, Congressman Mr. Henry Brown, a South Carolina representative in Washington, D.C., will be announcing this, as well as the importance of leaders in the community to be good role-models of character, on floor of Congress and it will be printed in the permanent Congressional Record. I am in the process of contacting all the schools to initiate the celebration of the Week. I will be speaking at assemblies at the schools about CHARACTER COUNTS! year round, in addition to youth organizations. I will keep you updated on my efforts to promote character in South Carolina. My dream is to touch the lives of children and adults daily by showing them the importance of being of good moral character. I strive to have South Carolina active on your site as a state of character.

“With Sincere Respect,

“Niki Wartenburg, Miss Global America 2003”

Welcome, Ms. Wartenburg, to CC! and the new South Carolina web page. We look forward to hearing more from you.