Iowans will be celebrating the six pillars of character starting today (Sunday), during Character Counts Week. Amy Smit, spokeswoman for Character Counts in Iowa, says they’re putting out a new challenge to the state’s residents for this year’s observance. “Make new goals for yourself during Character Counts Week,” Smit says. “For example, try to do an extra act of kindness for someone every day, or pay it forward, or try to show respect to somebody in a different way that you’ve not done before.” Smit says cities and schools across Iowa will be taking part in the week-long event.

“Communities find tons of great ways to celebrate,” Smit says. “There will be school assemblies and meetings at parks and we always look forward to getting pictures and hearing stories of all the things people are doing.” The six pillars of character are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Learn more at: www.charactercountsiniowa.org