Character in Action!

---

Character in Action! honors Edmond's businesses, nonprofits, and organizations that embody the values of community, integrity and strength of character.  These honorees help build a stronger Edmond through their positive impact in our community.

The Character Council of Edmond piloted a new initiative to show appreciation for community leaders and businesses who demonstrate character traits that benefit the City of Edmond. The First Christian Church Edmond became one of the first honorees.

The new outreach began when Character Council President, Diane Krakowski and board member, Gloria Baumann visited three Edmond businesses to recognize their support for the Character Council’s mission to strengthen our community by recognizing those who demonstrate positive character traits. The first stop was to thank Stephanie Carel, co-owner of Silver Leaf Gems, with her sister, Sondra Reid and mother, Diana Pate. Stephanie has spread the word about the Character Council and nominated many worthy Champions of Character from Downtown Edmond Businesses since 2020.

The next stop was at the Edmond Life and Leisure office to visit Ray Hibbard and express our gratefulness for faithfully publishing Champion of Character ads and articles for several years.

We then visited the Citizen’s Bank of Edmond to leave a letter of appreciation for President & CEO, Jill Castilla and Rachel Fedor, a Character Council board member. Through their generosity and help the Character Council enjoys the privilege of meeting at Vault 405 to honor Champions of Character, and to select and honor Character Council Scholarship winners. 

On October 10th, Diane and Gloria met with Reverend Chris Shorow, Dr. Roger and Joy Quinn and Vicki Snow of the First Christian Church Edmond to recognize their generosity and servant’s heart shown through Breakfast on Boulevard. For the past 36 years, the church has served a hot breakfast and provided lunches to any person in the community who was hungry

The vision for Breakfast on Boulevard originated with Patty McKibbin and Carol Roberts. The seed was planted by Patty’s daughter, who heard about an outreach to feed the hungry in the town where she lived. Patty and Carol took that idea and ran with it. The first day they served a hot breakfast, one hungry college student showed up. Recently, they served 88 hot breakfasts, 33 people in the dining room and the rest were take-out. They also handed out lunches, 30 PBJ and 36 meat and cheese sandwiches. Each lunch includes two sandwiches, an apple, 2 cookies, a Scripture verse and a napkin. 

Some of the members of First Christian Church are Patrons of the Arts. They receive credit for the art display of sheep on the lawn where the breakfast crowd lines up outside the entrance facing Boulevard. The plague cites John 21:17, “Feed my sheep.”

Breakfast is served between 6:30 and 7:15 a.m. They have 50 volunteers and are always looking for more. One of their first volunteers, Liz Laska, attends another church. She heard about the plans for Breakfast on Boulevard and wanted to help. She showed up to serve on the first day and is still serving. 

Ms. Snow shared two favorite motivators among the breakfast volunteers, “The hours are early, but the rewards are great.” She teared up and had to pause for a moment as she began to share the second quote, “It’s hard to work or learn if you are hungry.”

Reverend Shorow shared about the time the church received a $1,000 donation that was sent with a note. The gift came from a man who went without a job for six months. Breakfast on Boulevard kept him from going hungry. When he got a job and was back on his feet, he wanted to show his appreciation.

Dr. Quinn, a retired OB-GYN, shared the importance of feeding soul and body. He observes mutual respect and emotional support that is shared during breakfast. Not only between the volunteers and those they serve, but also between the diners. He views it as therapy for himself to be able to make a difference in the lives of others. Dr. Quinn said, “Participating keeps us going.”

Two or three times a month there is a special guest that comes and brightens everyone’s day. Snoop Dogg is small and fluffy and boasts a lineage of at least 17 breeds. His owner, Robin, volunteered to bring him after he finished his certification as a therapy dog. He gives lots of love and receives it back.

Those interested in volunteering at Breakfast on Boulevard can serve monthly or weekly. There are shifts for five days a week. To sign up, contact the First Christian Church office at 405-341-3544 or visit their website, www.fccedmond.org/bob.

The Character Council of Edmond, a grassroots nonprofit organization, is committed to creating a citywide initiative to build Edmond into a "community of character." 

To learn more about the Character Council or to nominate a citizen as a Champion of Character, for someone who exemplifies the current month’s featured character trait, go to www.edmondcharacter.org or write: Champions of Character, PO Box 392, Edmond OK 73083-0392.  

Pictured: From left, are Dr. Roger Quinn, Joy Quinn, Vicki Snow and Rev. Chris Shorow.