Skills that Milford High School students learned in a marketing class were put to practice among their peers as they conducted fund and food drives for needy families in Clermont County.

The 47 students in the Milford DECA program went to classrooms during the second period, collecting pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and checks from students and staff.

"We used our marketing skills by offering free continental breakfast to the top four second-period classes that donated the most money toward the Mary Miller Fund Drive," said Carly Miller, a co-chair of the drive.

The students collected $4,400 for the fund. A check was presented on Dec. 19 to the Rev. Walter Buckner, pastor of the Milford-Miami Ministry, which distributes the money to the Mary Miller Fund.

The fund was established in 1952 to collect money for lodging, food, clothing, medical care, medicine, heating bills and other expenses for Milford residents who have sudden financial emergencies.

DECA students also collected, wrapped and distributed more than 750 Christmas gifts to 300 needy children in Clermont County.

The students decorated and promoted a Christmas "Giving Tree" in the lobby of Milford High School. Students, staff, parents and community members picked paper ornaments with the gender and age of a needy Clermont County child from the tree.

Janet Madden, adviser of the Milford High School Business Professionals of America chapter, and Bonnie Dunkleman, instructor in the Milford High School Connections Program, assisted with the Giving Tree.

"Whenever our DECA chapter can help out the local community, we try to assist," said Kelly Anderson, a DECA senior.

The Milford DECA chapter, BPA chapter and the Connections Program are satellite programs of the Live Oaks Career Development Campus, which is a part of the Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development.

The Cincinnati Art Museum is partnering with the Taft Museum of Art to sponsor the free Museum within a Museum Family First Saturday from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at 953 Pike St., Walnut Hills.

The program closes Jan. 12 and will reopen this summer.

Ernest Dean, a processor at the Jim Beam Brands Corp. in Carthage, will be sworn in Jan. 18 as president of Local 32D of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, the first black man to head the local.

Mr. Dean, of College Hill, said one of his main objectives will be to promote better communication between the company and union.

"I hope we can get to the point where we are settling most of our grievances between the company and the union without having to go to arbitration," Mr. Dean 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.