The 1993-model van used by the Children's Home of Northern Kentucky had, to say the least, problems.

        Or as Tricia Fries, the director of development for the home, put it — the van was “beat to heck.” The multiservice agency had made a number of repairs on the 7-year-old van. Ms. Fries said the gas gauge didn't work, and there were problems with the transmission, steering and engine.

COLONELS' HELP

The following nonprofit organizations in Northern Kentucky and Ohio received grants from the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels:    Be Concerned, Inc., Covington.    Children's Home of Northern Kentucky, Covington.    Kicks for Kids Inc., Edgewood.    Panorama Apartments for Senior Citizens, Covington.    Redwood School and Rehab Center, Fort Mitchell.    Welcome House of Northern Kentucky Inc., Covington.    Cardinal Hill of Northern Kentucky, Covington.    Covington Scottish Rite Foundation, Covington.    Diocesan Children's Home, Fort Mitchell.    Mental Health Association of Northern Kentucky, Covington.    Northern Kentucky Housing and Homeless, Covington.    Women's Crisis Center of Northern Kentucky, Covington.    Camp Sunshine/St. John's Church, Fort Thomas.    ECHO, Newport.    Holly Hill Children's Home, California, Ky.    Boone Dinsmore Homestead Foundation, Burlington.    Pendleton Kincaid Regional Theatre, Falmouth.    Mason-Maysville and Mason County Library, Maysville, Ky.    Hamilton Cancer Family Care Inc., Cincinnati.

        Not anymore. The Children's Home was one of 19 other nonprofit organizations in the Northern Kentucky area to receive a grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, an organization that assists charitable, educational, cultural and art-related activities.

        Ms. Fries said the $10,000 grant would be used to help buy a new 15-passenger van. The van is used to transport children to and from school as well as to other activities.

        “We are ready to go shopping (for a new van),” she said.

        Glen Bastin, a senior ambassador for the Colonels, said the organization awarded $1,504,048 this year. Mr. Bastin said this was the 10th consecutive year the Colonels have managed to raise more than $1 million. He said the 19 Northern Kentucky recipients — including one Cincinnati agency — would share $108,197.71.

        All Colonels are appointed by the state governor, "for service to the Commonwealth,” and all donations are made by individual members. The 55-year-old Jefferson County resident, would not comment on the amount the group awarded to each individual organization, saying the Colonels preferred to put an emphasis on helping rather than on how much they were able to help.

        For Panorama Apartments in Covington, the grant means they will get to do preventive maintenance in the building, which houses senior citizens. John Otten, the administrator, said the $1,000 grant would be used to replace parts on an elevator.

        Mr. Otten praised the organization for the charitable work it does, saying it helped Panorama “meet needs.”

        The Colonels have helped organizations meet needs through their Good Works Program since 1937. The program started during the 1937 floods, when the then 5-year-old agency reached out to famous Colonels, including actors Fred Astaire and Eddie Cantor and music promoter Irving Mills.. The money to help those struggling through the worst flood in modern memory poured in.

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