The 499 pilots of the Air Line Pilots Association played secret Santa to 22 children at the Maplewood Children's Home in Burlington, Ky.

Pilots toured the facility Friday, then presented the gifts to the home's Activities Department.

"This is our second year of playing secret Santa to the children,'' said Beth Lange, office manager for DHL Master Executive Council of the association. "We intend to make this an annual tradition.''

The Maplewood Children's home takes children from the court system, from infants to age 18.

"It was a great Christmas time,'' said Eric Auberger, activities director for the home. "We have a Christmas committee that sets up a Christmas workshop to make sure all the kids get a gift because some of them are on different schedules.''

Children in East Walnut Hills who earned credit coupons by doing good deeds in the community and in their schools during the Christmas season, were able to shop for gifts Saturday at the St. Ursula Academy gymnasium.

The gifts were donated by Walnut Hills merchants through the nonprofit Caring Corners workshop at St. Ursula.

The workshop was created to give the children a chance to be rewarded for doing good deeds, such as cleaning and doing chores for local businesses.

St. Ursula Academy , a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon school, is a Catholic, college-preparatory secondary school.

Crossroad Health Center gave toys to 47 families in Over-the-Rhine.

"The best part about this event is that we gave toys to kids who otherwise receive no gifts on Christmas,'' said Leroy Greenidge, Crossroad manager.

An eighth-grade student at Mercy Montessori Center, East Walnut Hills, won second place in the "Something To Remember Me By,'' Legacy Project 2002 Intergenerational Contest.

Blake Zimmer of North Avondale wrote an essay about his grandfather, Earnest J. Waits Sr., a civil rights activist in Cincinnati.

Blake's essay was entitled: Some Things Change; Some Things Stay the Same

The essay talks about how Mr. Waits fought racism in Cincinnati by leading the fight to open up Coney Island for blacks, and how he fought to get accommodations for blacks in movie theaters, restaurants and hotels.

"I have not experienced the exact same thing, but I, too, fight against racism. I like people for their personality, not their color. I do not discriminate friendships because of color or religion...'' Blake wrote in his essay.

Blake, 13, is the son of Steven and Kym Zimmers.

The National Legacy Project was inspired by Susan Bosak's book; Something To Remember Me By.

The 32-page picture book about love and legacies across generations has won six national awards, including Parents' Choice.

The project is an initiative of the Parenting Coalition and Generation United.

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 76808362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.