-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Pam Bunte, Character County coordinator for Fort Dodge, poses among posters and wall charts explaining the different pillars that make up character.

By BILL SHEA, Messenger staff writer Trustworthiness. Respect. Responsibility. Fairness. Caring. Citizenship. For about eight years, Pam Bunte has made it her mission to ensure that children and a growing number of adults know the importance of those words, which are the Six Pillars of Character. ‘‘There aren’t many jobs that are more fulfilling than helping others become better,’’ the Fort Dodge woman said. She helped launch Character Counts locally and has seen it grow from a little-known program to one whose trademark Six Pillars appear on everything from classroom posters to police cars. The rewards she’s experienced have come in the form of little stories that prove the Character Counts message is hitting home. For instance, she’s heard of the program banners that once adorned Fort Dodge bridges sparking conversations between children, parents and even grandparents.