Even in the midst of post-Sept. 11 and holiday season generosity, some agencies and charitable organizations are suffering financial shortfalls.

        The Drop Inn Center Shelterhouse, 217 West 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, reported it is short of its fund-raising goal for the holidays.

        Pat Clifford, general coordinator, said the agency needs to raise $250,000 in private donations during the holiday drive to keep its doors open.

        “I guess people just didn't have enough money to spread around. We hear that a lot went to disaster relief, which is a worthy cause,” Mr. Clifford said.

        He said the center gave its Christmas party Thursday for the 200-plus residents who usually stay there at night.

        Volunteers from St. Claire's Church provided dinner, presents and entertainment.

        “We are trying to keep the spirit alive,” Mr Clifford said. “We have raised $168,000. We need to raise $82,000 in the next few weeks.”

        Mr. Clifford said 25,000 people are homeless in Cincinnati at some point each year. The center provides shelter, meals, clothing, treatment and medical services. It depends on donations.

        To help, send donations to: Drop Inn Center, 217 West 12th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45210. For more information, call Mr. Clifford or Andy Hutzel at 721-0643.

        God's Little Angel, an 11-year-old program in Reading that matches private companies with children in need of Christmas gifts, needs help this year, said coordinator Dorethea Shaw.

        Mrs. Shaw solicits help from stores, restaurants and companies to permit cards with the name of a needy child or family to be placed on a Christmas tree in their establishment.

        People select a card, buy and wrap a gift and return it.

        "We have cards in 20 stores,” she said. "We have cards for about 3,000 kids that have not been selected. I would like for the people to go to the closest store to them to pick up a card.”

        To find out where the stores are, call Mrs. Shaw at 769-3863 or 631-1599.

        The FreeStore/FoodBank has begun handing out holiday food boxes with 40 pounds of food.

        The agency distributed boxes of food to 1,200 families between 8 a.m. to noon and 1-6 p.m. Thursday at its food pantry, 112 East Liberty St., Over-the-Rhine.

        Distribution will continue today and Saturday at the food pantry between 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.

        Volunteers from Oak Hills High School, General Electric, St. Ursula Villa, Provident Bank, Rockdale Temple, Kroger and Knights of Columbus will pack and distribute the boxes.

        The FreeStore/FoodBank has received donations from Kroger, Ford, Fun Rock Falls and Interactive Technologies.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are committing uplifting acts of kindness, let him know at 768-8362; at ahoward@enquirer.com; or by fax at 768-8340.

Neighborhood gate cuts off traffic
Gambling suspects surrender
FBI eyes Columbus scientist in anthrax case
Battelle research aids the ailing, military
Device may help track city cops
Double-killing investigation turns here
RADEL: Caroling, KKK draw us together
WELLS: Death penalty is everybody's business
Fatal injuries rise 16%; falling accounts for most
Purple Heart winners share stories
How Purple Heart originated
Local Digest
Sentinels president voted to second term
Seven schools seek Blue Ribbon
Teen will be tried as adult in Northside assault
Weekend Events
Clermont Co. general fund remains solid
Congrats
Former councilman appointed to board
Good News: Several charities need help
Health center opens
Mobile home dealer sentenced to 2 years
Assault charges dismissed against UK player
Congress gives NKU $750K
Kentucky Digest
Louisville Speedway to be demolished