The Greater Cincinnati Foundation has approved grants that total $800,000 for 35 nonprofit organizations throughout the Tristate.

        Beth Reiter, director of communication for the foundation, said the money will be used for building repairs, renovation and facilities maintenance.

        “Some grant money will be used for program expansion and additions to staff, new educational programs, including training and improved technology to increase effectiveness and scope,” Mrs. Reiter said.

        The grants are based on proposals submitted by organizations in GCF's eight-county service area in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

        The grants range from $100,000 for Tender Mercies Inc., a housing agency at 25 W. 12th St. in Over-the-Rhine. Tender Mercies will use the money to renovate residential living for the mentally ill.

        Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky will use its $25,000 grant for its program titled “Looking for Love: Exploring Teen-Adult Relationships.”

        The Kenton County Fire Chiefs Association will use its grant of $16,262 for a fire safety house.

        Mrs. Reiter said GCF is a charitable organization that builds and preserves endowment funds, and identifies opportunities to enhance the quality of human life with grant money.

        “We urge any organization that wants to know about our guidelines to call us at 768-6142, visit the foundation (200 W. Fourth St.) or go to our Web site at www.greatercincinnatifdn.org,” she said.

        If you have arthritis, medicine is not all you need. How about a special exercise?

        Starting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, St. Gertrude's Parish and the Madeira Health Care Center will host a PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) class at 7630 Shawnee Run Road.

        The class is free and open to the public. It will run every Tuesday in February from 1 to 1:45 p.m.

        Participants need not have arthritis to participate. The class will include stretching and low- to moderate-level toning exercise.

        Registration is at St Gertrude's Priory Office. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call the Fitness Center at Madeira Health Care Center, 561-6400.

        The Future Environments Inc., will hold a silent auction April 11-15 to raise money for families for child-care tuition payments at the Future Environments Child Development Center, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Corryville.

        The day-care program is run by Memorial Community Center.

        The agency needs donated items to be offered for bidding.

        Send donations to Jody Shoemaker, U.S. EPA Mail Code 564, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column daily except Saturday. Contact him by phone: (513) 768-8362; fax: (513) 768-8340; or e-mail:ahoward@enquirer.com.
       

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