Youths throughout the Tristate have taken leading roles in helping out in disaster relief since Sept. 11. School-age children at every level, church groups, and Scouts have conducted fund-raisers, made items for sales and collected donations.

At Western Row Elementary in Mason, banners will go to New York firefighters. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        Boy Scout Troop 112, sponsored by Mount Washington Presbyterian Church, redirected funds that were to be used for trips.

        Troop members conducted a four-hour car wash a week ago to raise money for their trip to the Boy Scout Ranch in Philmont, N.M., in July. Instead, the $1,150 they raised has been designated for disaster relief.

        “The troop voted unanimously to use the fund for disaster relief,” said Jay Downie, an assistant Scoutmaster. “They still plan on conducting fund -raisers to go to the ranch next year.”

        Walnut Hills students and teachers emptied piggy banks and penny jars and conducted tailgate picnics to raise $1,840 for the American Red Cross.

        Kristina Ziccardi and Brendan Kereiakes started the collection on Sept. 18 and envelopes were distributed to every class through Sept. 25.

        “Through the diverse community at Walnut Hills, everyone united and gave generously,” said Kristina.

La Salle students sold these T-shirts. The school has raised more than $10,000. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        Loveland-area students along with moms, dads and teachers have raised more than $5,000 making and selling pins.

        “I think the kids are going to remember this the rest of their lives,” said Phil Wheeler, one of the dads participating.• • •

        Several Cincinnati inner-city schools and neighborhoods have sent a message of support to children in Washington, D.C., and New York.

        Children from Corryville Catholic School, Heberle, and Peaslee Neighborhood Center, working through AmeriCorps, started a “Lend A Helping Hand” project. They made “hands” with expressions of love and caring for the children in the two cities.

        Students from La Salle have collected $13,900 and will extend that fund-raising campaign through Oct. 3.

        The 10,378 students in 14 schools in the Northwest School District, and teachers and parents have started a variety of programs and fund drives.

        Bevis Elementary conducted a candlelight walk last week. Money was designated for the Emily and Eddie Oliver College Fund. They are children of Eddie Oliver who was on the 92nd floor of the first tower hit at the World Trade Center. They have also collected $462.

        Colerain Elementary raised $1,148 selling handmade hearts, while Houston Elementary has made 500 care boxes for children of victims in New York and Washington.

        Monfort Heights Elementary has collected $2,064 in a “Fill the Jug,” campaign plus a match by the CompuCom Company, and Pleasant Run Elementary started a “Pennies for Patriotism” campaign along with making red, white and blue heart-shaped cut-outs with “God Bless America,” for all staff to wear. Pleasant Run raised $3,000 in pennies.

        Struble Elementary has collected bottled water and Gatorade and delivered them to the Salvation Army. It has also collected $676.54 for the Red Cross. Taylor Elementary is collecting for the Red Cross and is sending hearts and flags artwork to the New York police and firefighters.

        Weigel Elementary has collected $400, while Welch Elementary has made patriotic ribbons and is collecting money in the cafeteria each day for the Red Cross.

        Colerain Middle School has collected $905 for the Red Cross.

        Pleasant Run Middle School has collected $3,130 for the Red Cross through lunchtime donations. Students have made versions of the U.S. flag, using the stars and stripes and red, white and blue for a patriotic display in the North Central Regional Library. Girl Scouts at the school have collected cards to be sent to victims.

        White Oak Middle School has collected $770 for the Red Cross.

        Colerain High School is collecting money at lunchtime, and Northwest High is collecting money at lunchtime for the Red Cross and selling opportunities to hit a wrecked car with a sledgehammer.

        Students at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Over-the-Rhine raised $2,600 by staging “A Tribute to America” performance. More than 200 students from the departments of creative writing, dance, music drama, musical theatre and technical theatre composed, choreographed and staged the performance. The concert featured patriotic music and original works. The money was sent to the Red Cross.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Monday-Friday and Sundays. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are committing random acts of kindness that are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at (513) 768-8362; at ahoward@enquirer.com; or by fax at (513) 768-8340.
       

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