What Is The Problem?

What Is The Problem?

The problem isn't finding the time to laminate the Characters of Agents badge, hole punch and attach them to a fun lanyard. The problem isn't putting the badge and a felt mask inside it's own protective bag which the hospitals prefer. The problem isn't signing the autographed greeting cards from one of the Characters of Character which is included in each box. The problem isn't ordering the boxes, ordering the books, ordering the water color paints, or ordering the easels. The problem isn't screen printing on the 4 x 4 canvas that says I AM SUPER. The problem isn't placing a character sticker on the back of each canvas. The problem isn't folding each box. The problem isn't fulfilling each box with care, hope and love. The problem isn't the fact that when these are assembled they take over our kitchen, living room and spare room. The problem isn't putting the boxes in another box that holds twenty of the Superhero boxes. The problem isn't delivering hundreds at a time to the post office for shipment. The problem isn't letting the locations know that they are on their way because of donors who believe in our mission.

What is the problem?

The problem is finding donors, sponsors, supporters, business's and corporations that believe in making a difference in the life of a child. Especially a child who is in the hospital long term or having to go into the emergency room. The problem is that children are in the hospitals and they need activities that will uplift them, engage them and impact their stay so they can heal. The problem isn't finding something fun and positive to improve their physical and mental state. The problem remains how to fulfill these boxes and keep donating them to the different locations we have already build relationships with.

Where have we donated to?

1. Shriner's in Chicago
2. Northwestern Medicine in Huntley, Woodstock, Decatur and McHenry Illinois
3. Ann and Robert Lurie's in Chicago
4. Comer's Children's Hospital in Chicago
5. Rush in Chicago
6. Nemours in Deleware
7. Monroe Carell Jr. at Vanderbilt in Nashville
8. Rainbow Kids Clinic in Clarskville
9. Dolly Parton Children's Hospital previously East Tennessee Children's Hospital
10. Beacon's Children's Hospital in Indiana

Why is this donation so important to us?

Characters of Character has seen, felt and heard the impact that these Superhero Character Building activity boxes have on a child, on the family and on the staff that provide them to the patient. The primary objective is to support children’s social-emotional well-being by using relatable superhero characters to teach core values such as kindness, responsibility, perseverance, respect, and self-esteem. The activities promote coping skills, resilience, and a sense of empowerment, helping children see themselves as capable, strong, and valued, especially during stressful or uncertain times.

Hospital stays can be stressful, frightening, and isolating for children. The Superhero Activity Boxes provide a positive distraction while helping children build important character strengths and emotional resilience during a challenging time. By delivering these boxes, Characters of Character furthers its mission of providing children with a firm foundation of strong civic and character values while bringing comfort, hope, and encouragement to children when they need it most.

My Why?

I created this organization while I was on the Reading Team in an elementary school where I had the opportunity to pilot the characters. They earned a National Promising Practice Award which led me to form the nonprofit. Easy I thought! Fun I thought! Insert heart felt chuckle here at anytime. A nonprofit is a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of heart ache. However, when you are living your purpose, when you know that you are making a difference in the life of a child, and, you know that you can finally use your Phd., your Passion, your Heart and your Determination, you know your why.

The problem is funding. Please consider visiting our website and learn more about our organizaiton, the work we are doing and the difference we are making in the life of a child. We appreciate you taking the time, we appreciate if you would share us and we appreciate the fact that only you can make a difference as we strive to bring these Superhero boxes to our children in the hospital.

Miss Joni and Team Characters