Anne Beiler, owner of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and several other donors are backing a new television series that examines the character of great Americans. “The airwaves could use some character,” suggests Ms. Beiler.

Candid Conversations with Great Americans, co-produced with Bryan Hickox, a 45-year television veteran, will profile influential people who may or may not be familiar to most Americans. Representatives from a variety of fields: sports, business, politics, the military and the arts, each one sharing their deep and personal values that order their lives and provide for their success.

The concept was derived from the personal background of co-producer Matt Daniels, whose father abandoned his family when he was two years old and shortly thereafter his mother was left a disabled from a violent crime. Left without any positive male role model in his life, Daniels sought and discovered role models outside his family who taught him the noble ideals and aspirations that led to his success.

Beiler believes, “a lot of people have role models in their lives, but no positive ones. We’re re raising a generation of kids without parents who are becoming parents themselves. And many of them are not ready for the responsibility of being a parent. These kids need to see role models who have integrity and a sense of morality.”

Steve Notestine, another backer of the series, says that Americans used to see more examples of this kind of character analysis in the media. Even though there are plenty of programs that mention character today, not nearly enough of them describe and depict what these character traits are. After all, there is a big difference between studying a list of good character traits and learning them from the example of a real life personality.

Donald “Bubba Cathy, senior vice president of Chick-fil-A and a fervent support of the series concurs. “The American people need to hear more about the people behind the faces.” Hopefully, this series will give us an opportunity to explore what made some of these great Americans who they are and what gave them the drive to do good.

To view the pilot preview with General Norman Schwarzkopf visit http://www.greatamericans.com/

The above was adapted from Philanthropy September/October 2006