On his first birthday, all gifts for Danny Honeycutt went to disaster relief to help the children of firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

        Danny didn't care because his mother, Tonya, said he had plenty toys.

        Mrs. Honeycutt, of Bridgetown, sent out invitations that instructed guests not to bring gifts, but instead make a donation to the disaster relief fund.

        “I felt that Danny probably had more toys then most 1-year-olds,” Mrs. Honeycutt said. “It turned out really great, and everybody had fun.”

        She said 100 people came, including 35 kids. They made red plastic hats and decorated a room with paintings of Dalmatian dogs.

        After the party, the children were given a tour of the Green Township Fire Department.

        She said they sat in a firetruck and an ambulance. Some were dressed in real firefighter gear with real hats.

        “I think this gave the kids a greater appreciation of what firefighters do,” Mrs. Honeycutt said.

        She said they collected $475 at the party that will be presented to the Fire Department of New York.

        “To all grandparents and parents, this is the kind of party to have,” said Dan Stewart, Danny's grandfather. “Everyone who came felt better.”

        If you can act, this may be your chance — that is, if you feel you can play the role of a runaway slave, a Quaker woman or a slave catcher.

        Actors and actresses are needed for those roles in the play Cincinnati's Runaway Slave.

        Auditions and rehearsals will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Sharon Centre in Sharon Woods Park.

        The play was written by Lyn Elzy, formerly of Princeton Schools, who researched Cincinnati history during the abolitionist movement.

        It is a simulation of the Underground Railroad operation. It will be set in the historic Heritage Village Museum in Sharon Woods.

        The story is about black abolitionists who helped many slaves escape to freedom.

        “We will have groups of 30 people viewing the play at one time,” said Carrie MacMeans, director of education for the museum. “It is interactive. People attending the play will be told that they are actually a part of the escape.”

        Performance dates are March 18 and March 30, daytime and evening.

        Procter & Gamble has agree to sponsor the play for three years. The Heritage Village Museum is working with the Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the play, Mrs. MacMeans said.

        “We will be working with the (freedom center) in other educational events,” Mrs. MacMeans said.

        For more information, call (513) 563-9484.

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

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