Character has always come from parents, families, churches and communities. For the past 200-plus years, schools have also had a role in providing character-building education. In 1999 the Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation requiring all public schools to incorporate Character Education. On November 13, 2001 a meeting attended by representatives of the clergy, business, government, education, service industries, and other organizations took place in the Boardroom of Center in the Square in Roanoke to discuss building "Community Character," and the advantages of establishing a community-wide organization to support the efforts of our area schools to promote and build character within our students. Speakers such as Carolyn Bass of 4H and State Sen. John Edwards prompted a list of the points affirming the benefits for the community to actively become involved in character education. On June 29, 2002, the first Community Character Coalition took place at Virginia Western Community College. The many newly formed character committees were represented as well as other community organizations. Celebrity speakers included Dr. Lloyd 'Vic' Hackley, chairman emeritus of Character Counts, Dr. Philip Fitch Vincent and State Sen. John Edwards. It was then that Stuart Harris made the decision to officially launch the Greater Roanoke Valley Character Coalition (GRVCC) during the week of Sept. 6 - 14, 2002 to coincide with national "American Character Week." In the Spring of 2003, school boards from the cities of Roanoke and Salem, as well as Roanoke County and Franklin County signed Declarations of Support for the coalition. Since that time, the Valley Character Committees have grown strong in numbers and capabilities, and have been extremely active within the community to achieve their mission to acknowledge and promote character not only within our schools; but, within families and individuals young and old, and within the businesses that exist in and around the Greater Roanoke Valley Area. Character is for everyone! We extend our invitation to you to experience, first hand, how rewarding Valley Character! Will you take the next step? Get Involved - Click Here!