Safe Streets Coalition and Topeka City of Character will be holding a press conference on September 2 at the Great Overland Station to announce the recipient of the Champion of Character award for demonstrating character that significantly improves the health, safety and quality of life in the community.

This month’s recipient of the Champion of Character Award is Bill Jones, owner of Cytek Media in Topeka.

Jones was nominated by Bruce Holt, Director of the Topeka YMCA for demonstrating charity, giving, determination and generosity. Jones heard that there had been multiple car break-ins at the Downtown YMCA. He was concerned about this problem and volunteered to create a security plan and donated security cameras, monitors and video recorders for the Downtown Branch YMCA. Jones had his staff install the new equipment. Since the installation of the equipment, there has not been another vehicle break in and theft. The gift was valued at over $8,000.00.

“This is a great example of a business-owner taking personal responsibility for the safety of the community”, stated Cindy Patton, Executive Director of Topeka City of Character. The character word of the month for September is responsibility. “This act certainly embodies the idea that we are all responsible for each other, and can work together for public safety, stated Patton.

The awards are presented by the Kansas Character Recognition Council of Topeka/Shawnee County. Senator Laura Kelly, Mayor William Bunten, City Councilman, Jack Woelfel, Chief of Police Ronald Miller, Shawnee County Commissioners Shelly Buhler and Ted Ensley, Director of Shawnee County Corrections, Richard Kline, District Attorney Chad Taylor and Shawnee County Sheriff Richard Barta are all members of The Kansas Character Recognition Council.

Anyone may make nominations for Character Champions. Nomination forms may be obtained by downloading a form at the Topeka City of Character website at www.topekacityofcharacter.org. Nomination forms may also be found at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Capital Journal office or by calling the Topeka City of Character office at 273-4330.

Future press conferences recognizing Character Champions will be set for the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon at the Great Overland Station immediately preceding the Safe Streets monthly meeting.

For further information about the Character Recognition Initiative, contact Cindy Patton, Topeka City of Character office, 534 S Kansas Avenue, Suite 820, Phone: 640-7403, Fax: 354-1901 or email: topekacityofcharacter@gmail.com.