The holidays find many local groups, churches, businesses and school children trying to brighten the season for those in need.

        Civic organizations, churches, Masonic lodges, professional teams, banks, restaurants, schools, social-service agencies, and private industry are seeking out and helping children and families.

        Sinai Temple No.59, a branch of Prince Hall Masonry and the Daughters of Isis, an affiliate of the temple, will give away toys at 1 p.m., today to the children at Douglass Elementary School, 2825 Alms Place, Walnut Hills.

        Temple members have agreed to come back to serve as tutors, said Patsy A. Estes-Matthews, social-service administrator at the school.

        James Temple Church of God In Christ, 1116 Lincoln Ave., Walnut Hills donated food to the school.

        Students at Walnut Hills High School conducted bake sales and pizza parties to raise enough money to purchase gifts for 40 families in the Walnut Hills-Evanston area.
       The gifts were distributed Wednesday at the school.

        Findlay Market vendors, a lawyer, a food distributor and a hotel are giving a Christmas party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, today at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel, Covington, for 200, third-through seventh-graders from Taft Elementary, Rockdale Academy and the Jacob Center.

        Karen Schupp, one of three volunteer coordinators, said the food was donated by Findlay Market vendors, lawyer Stanley Chesley and C&S Food distributors. The Radisson donated use of its grand ballroom.

        The Urban League of Greater Cincinnati received a $250,000 Christmas present from Fifth Third BankWednesday at a graduation for adult students in a work force-development program and a recognition ceremony for children in the league's youth-education and career-advancement program.

        Third-grade students from Holmes Elementary School in Deer Park presented gifts Tuesday Sycamore Township firefighters. The children made the gifts, said Carol Bungenstock, deputy clerk at the Department.

        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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