Bloomingdale CHARACTER COUNTS Coalition

10/29/2026

Trunk or Treat 24 Oct 2026 at Lake Park West. Thanks to all the SD13 teachers for helping make this another great event. Again, over 2K attendees! "In deed," mind, and "spirits," CHARACTER COUNTS! in Bloomingdale! :)

10/28/2026

2026 American Youth Character Awards, presented on 6 October 2026 at the Gazebo in Old Town Bloomingdale.

See photos attached.

Left to right:
Bloomingdale Park District: Jackson Bujarski (Front) Mr. Frank Mitropoulos (Back)
St. Isidore: Melissa Kari ( Front) Mr. Matt Benrus ( Back)
Erickson: Therese Baylosis (Front) Mrs. Meagan Darland (Back)
DuJardin: Grace Mele ( Front) Mr. Haugens (Back)
Winnedbago: Nikol Stoyanov (Front) Mr. Cody Battaglia
Westfield: Not pictured, see below Lia Sargent and Mr.Stefan Larsson

Congratulations to all!

09/11/2026

Pillar Award presented to Carlos Segura!

CARLOS SEGURA. Pillar Award nomination submitted by Bloomingdale School District 13 Superintendent Jon Bartelt on 6 June 2026 for the Pillar of Caring. Presented 9 Sep 26.

Carlos Segura is the evening custodian at Erickson Elementary School. On Saturday, May 2, Carlos was helping set up the CHARACTER COUNTS! Recognition Breakfast when he overheard that the coffee donation was not coming. He immediately offered to make the coffee and set up the coffee station from the Erickson supply room. This was accomplished while continuing to set up the gym for the event. Carlos went above and beyond for the Coalition and their guests by caring enough to do more without hesitation. This act helped make the Recognition Breakfast a success. I am proud that Carlos Segura is part of the District 13 staff and even more proud to recommend him for a Pillar Award for his quick thinking and care for the Coalition. Signed: Jon Bartelt

Carlos (unable to make SD 13 meeting): Photoshopped in 5th from left

07/05/2026

Thought you might find this interesting. Happy 250th Birthday, America! The world over, CHARACTER COUNTS! Huzzah!!

07/04/2026

From the Bloomingdale-Roselle Rotary Club, one of our founding members:

Save the date! The Bloomingdale-Roselle Rotary Club invites you to its Family Feud Game Night on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Bloomingdale Park District JRC.
This entertaining evening will feature Family Feud-style competition, great food, raffles, w**e tasting, and a W**e & Spirit Pull. Proceeds from the event will support the Rotary Club's ongoing service projects and charitable initiatives that benefit our community and beyond.
Whether you're participating in the games, cheering on your favorite team, or simply enjoying the festivities, it promises to be a fun-filled evening for a great cause.
Doors open at 5:30 PM, with games beginning at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $50 per person and include entertainment, food, raffles, w**e tasting, and a W**e & Spirit Pull.
For ticket information, visit portal.clubrunner.ca/2360. Come join the fun while supporting the Bloomingdale Rotary Club's mission of service above self.

07/03/2026

BCC!C member's book update: Bill Bahr's book "George Washington's Liberty Key," a book about the importance of character, once again on display at George Washington's Mount Vernon, in time for Independence Day 250. Huzzah! 🙂

05/15/2026

The Bloomingdale CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition recently hosted its 25th Annual Awards Breakfast to celebrate outstanding individuals and businesses who exemplify the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.

The event recognized local honorees for their exceptional character, leadership, and positive impact within the community. This year’s award recipients included:

(L–R): Ethan Dworianyn, Sue Bolger, Elizabeth McGuire, Alisha Kshatriya, Massimo Lissuzzo, Giuseppe Battista, Emma Madon, Jessica Rosero, Tom Page, and Dave Steele.

Samia Hefferan was also recognized but is not pictured. The 2026 Business of Character Award was presented to Platt Hill Nursery (not pictured).

Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and thank you for the many ways you help make Bloomingdale a caring, respectful, and community-minded place.

02/20/2026

Don't forget to nominate someone you think exemplifies character in our community. Our deadline for submittals this year is 27 February. Forms are available at

Bloomingdale (IL) CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition: To actively build & nurture trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, & citizenship.

12/18/2025

Here're two links: one to the CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101 webinar and another to their Goal Map:

https://charactercounts.org/digital_classroom/webinar/

https://charactercounts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Goal-Map.pdf

10/25/2025

Today at the Bloomingdale-Roselle Rotary Club-sponsored "Trunk or Treat 2025," Andrea (blue cape; trustworthiness) and Elaine (green cape; responsibility) of Westfield Middle School arguably drew the longest line of visitors at once (over three dozen) with their Bloomingdale CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition display! Congratulations!!! Attendance estimated to be over 2 thousand....