This weekend, several hundred volunteers put the finishing touches on the Maud Booth Academy, a charter school for inner city children that will open this fall in the Anna Louise Inn, 300 Lytle Place downtown.

        The school is sponsored by the Ohio River Valley Chapter of the Volunteers of America.

        Lee Schaefer, vice president of development for Vo lunteers of America, said 140 Starbucks employees volunteered to paint the interior of the academy.

        “Hooters supplied food and Coca-Cola supplied beverages,” Mr. Schaefer said. “The academy will open this fall with kindergarten to third grades. We will add a grade each year until it is K-6.”

        Mr. Schaefer said the school will provide year-round education with a longer school year and longer school days.

        He said the school probably will open with about 60 students and gradually increase, primarily serving children in the Empowerment Zone, which includes Avondale, Corryville, Evanston, Fairview-Clifton Heights, Mount Auburn, Over-the-Rhine, Queensgate, Walnut Hills and the West End.

        The academy will provide children with school uniforms, meals and a Saturday program, offered every other Saturday.

        “We will also offer assistance to parents and guardians of our students, such as GED preparation and educational workshops,” Mr. Schaefer said.

        The school is named in honor of its founder,

        who started Volunteers of America in 1896. The Ohio Valley Chapter was started in 1954.

        The West End Health Center inaugurated its Founders Memori al Garden this week with a reception and a silent auction of artwork.

        The garden, at the front of the center, memorializes people who were instrumental in getting the center started.

        Local chefs will cook up a batch of fine cuisine in a benefit fund-raiser, Celebration of Life, for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's “Man & Woman of the Year,” at 6 p.m. July 22 at J's F resh Seafood Restaurant, 2444 Madison Road, Hyde Park.

        “The event is black tie optional and the cost is $200,” said Julie Paul, of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

        Proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Information: Amy Osterkamp, 361-2100 ext. 124.

        Summer time for a group of Montgomery teens is attending a “Summer Camp” at Meadowbrook Nursing Home in Montgomery .

        Maybe not as much fun as hiking, swimming or chasing a Frisbee, but they learn a lot, said Christie Chenderlin, 13, one of the campers.

        “It is a chance to work with them one-on-one and learn about how they lived their lives,” Christie said.

        Her sister, Katie,15 , also attends. They, along with several others teens, spend three or four days a week at the nursing home between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. They are the daughters of Jack and Mary Chenderlin.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs daily except Saturday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements or uplifting people, let him know at 768-8362, e-mail ahowardenquirer.com or fax 768-8340.

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