The Roger Bacon High School annual blood drive, a tradition that dates to 1976, will be held Friday in the school's auditorium, 4320 Vine St., St. Bernard.

        Anyone wishing to donate blood at the school should call the Rev. Dennis Bosse at 641-1300.

        “Over the years the students and the general public have been very generous,” Father Dennis said.

        The drive will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

        The blood drive, first held in the 1976-77 school year, is thought to be the oldest by a Cincinnati school. It was held first to get blood for a Roger Bacon student suffering from Reye's Syndrome. .

        The Middletown Red Cross Chapter honored its volunteer drivers last month. They drove a total of 27,823 miles, making 5,000 trips throughout the chapter's area, which includes parts of Cincinnati and Dayton.

        Maynard Niebur, of Monroe, was named driver of the year.

        Mr. Niebur,also a member of the chapter's board of directors, has driven for the Red Cross seven years and logged 1,353 hours.

        “From Monday through Friday, our drivers take people to medical appointments free of charge,” said Dana Sennet, executive director of the chapter. “This is the only service of this kind in Butler County.

        “We do not get any assistance from the government, just through the United Way,” Ms. Sennet said.

        Others honored at the dinner last month were: Bill Schlotter, 15 years; Bob Coleman, 18 years; Bob Cochran, and Harry Keith, both with seven years; Len Kahny, 12; Al Karchner, four; John Williams, Ivan Wood and Frank Fedders, each with two years; Bill Wooley, Paul Dork and Bill Potter, each with one year of service.

        Also honored were: Jean Riesz, 11 years in production; Judy Throp, eight years in mannequin maintenance; Joan Moser and Ralph Davis, new office volunteers.

        “Without this group of volunteers the local chapter would not be able to function,” Ms. Sennet said. “Because of them, we have a smooth operation that helps those who are most in need.”

        If you can balance your check book or prepare your own tax return, the local office of the American Association of Retired Persons could use your volunteer services.

        AARP said it is in dire need of volunteers as district and local tax-site coordinators to keep open existing tax-site locations and prepare tax returns for low- and moderate-income families and seniors.

        If interested, call 1-888-AARP-NOW or 1-888-227-7669 or visit the Web site at www.aarp.org/taxaide.

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

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