This is a season filled with donations, fund raising, benefit parties, fun parties and awards presentations.

The local chapter of the Salvation Army has been selected to get coins tossed in fountains by Northgate Mall shoppers.

"We don't know how much it is, but we are always glad to receive help," said Matt Pearce, public relations director for the Salvation Army.

Recent recipients included Junior Achievement of Greater Cincinnati, the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, and the Parkinson's Wellness Center.

LifeCenter, the non-profit organization that coordinates organ donation in the Tristate, will be the recipient of a $25,000 check at 6:15 p.m. Sunday in Music Hall during the Charlie Daniels Band concert.

Proceeds from the concert will also benefit LifeCenter.

The National Make a Difference Day committee joins the Mental Health Association's Warren County Compeer program to host a lunch and fun day for residents of Pine Villa in Morrow on Saturday.

Anyone wishing to donate items or help at the lunch and fun day should call Jackie Orsi at 899-4550 or the Compeer office at 459-9551.

Make a Difference Day encourages people to do something good to make a difference in their community.

Compeer matches trained community volunteers in a friendship relationship with individuals with a mental illness.

Five local women employees at Cinergy were recent winners at the National Women of Color Technology Awards conference in Atlanta, Ga.

Winners of the Technology All-star Award were: Paige Jones, analyst, control area operations, and Kristen Simmons, technology engineer, RBU/servers, both African-Americans; Rajani Menon, senior analyst, MBA rotational program, and Neeta Patel, manager, strategic planning, both Indians.

Tracy Li, analyst. EMBU Power Trading, was a winner of the Rising Star Award. She is Chinese.

"The awards are given annually to the country's brightest, most innovative technologists, scientists, engineers and business leaders who are honored for their outstanding career achievements," said Steve Brash, manager of internal communications for Cinergy.

In the neighborhoods, parties honored several people.

Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken and his staff attended a birthday party for Will "Sonny" Lewis at his bar, Sonny's, in Bond Hill, sort of a tribute to Mr. Lewis' civic work.

Half of a neighborhood celebrated the 35th birthday of Michelle Smith, popular waitress at Ikes Blues and Jazz Lounge in Walnut Hills, at a party that continued at her Hyde Park home.

"I loved it. It is nice to know you are appreciated," Ms. Smith said.

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.