This month is National Mentoring Month, a collaboration of the National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard Mentoring Project.

        “They made it a national month as a way to show how effective mentoring can be for children,” said Shara Clark, a United Way communications associate.

        The United Way matches people with mentoring opportunities throughout the region.

        Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, a United Way agency, needs mentors. Kathy List, executive director, said the agency serves more than 1,100 children, but still has 400 children on a waiting list.

        “By simply sharing their time and attention, adult volunteers help children grow to become confident, competent and caring adults,” she said.

        To volunteer, call 421-4120. In Butler County, (513) 867-1227.

        To take children in the northeastern part of Hamilton County to sporting events through Big Brothers and Big Sisters call 421-4120

        To coach an athletic team at Emanuel Community Center, call 241-2563. To teach music, art and other educational skills to children at Fairmount Day Care Center, call 921-1241. To be a Girl Scout troop leader for the Girl Scouts-Great Rivers Council, call 489-1025. To introduce children at St. Paul's Child Care Center to books, music and drama from your heritage, call (859) 581-3390.

        Volunteers may also call the United Way Help Line at 721-7900.

        The fifth-grade class at The Summit Country Day School recently honored nine firefighters who lost their lives trying to save others when the World Trade Center collapsed. Each firefighter was from Engine Company 22, Ladder 13, Battalion 10, located on 85th Street in New York City.

        The students each made a fabric square that was sewn into a quilt.

        Kathryn Spivey, teacher, said the students also raised $350 for the fire house. They were collecting change for a decimal unit they were working on, but when the events of Sept. 11 took place, they decided to give it to the fire house.

        They sold patriotic ribbons and red, white and blue balloons to raise money.

        Mrs. Spivey and her husband, Brian, presented the quilt and the money to the firemen over the Christmas holiday.

        The honored firefighters were Capt. Walter Hynes, Thomas Casoria, Michael Elferis, Thomas Hetzel, Vincent Kane, Dennis McHugh, Thomas Sabella, Gregory Stajk and Martin McWilliams.

        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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