When Behavior Bear says something, children tend to listen. The bear is one of nine characters created by Joni Downey of Johnsburg to teach children values. He began as a puppet more than six years ago in a classroom Downey once taught.

He and his fellow characters make up Characters of Character, a nonprofit organization based in McHenry, and are called upon throughout the country to help teach elementary school-age children.

It’s an organization that is truly family run with Joni’s husband, Joe, and their children, 30-year-old Joey, 27-year-old Josh and 24-year-old Jen, all doing their part.