Plastic surgeons and volunteers are joining forces to help kids who have facial deformities.

From 5-8 p.m. Jan. 30, a local campaign called "Face to Face" will be launched at the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center, 3805 Edwards Road, Norwood.

Plastic surgeons will donate time and expertise to perform plastic and reconstructive surgery.

The event also will feature a "Faces of the World" show, including portrayals by photographer Steve McCurry, taken during his world travels.

One photograph is of Sharbat Gula of Afghanistan, whose hauntingly beautiful eyes have made her one of contemporary photography's best-known portraits since she appeared on a National Geographic cover in 1985.

Portraits framed by Malton Gallery will be available in a silent auction with proceeds going to Face to Face.

The portraits in Mr. McCurry's collection are "beautiful and masterfully composed, " said Dr. Jon Mendelsohn.

Dr. Mendelsohn is a plastic surgeon who volunteered to perform plastic surgery on children in China.

"I think his work (Mr. McCurry's) truly defines the depth and spirit of humanity - much like the work of Face to Face. It is a gift to be able to have this event in our city."

For more information, call the center at 351-3223.

The memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will have a special meaning to Miami University and Oxford's faith community.

A commemoration march and a service are planned Monday.

"In light of the events from last semester - the cross burning and the derogatory e-mail - the celebration this year has added significance," said the Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, one of the organizers.

"Those experiences, filled with hate, remind us all how important it is to gather under God's banner of love that unites us as a human family and does not divide," he said.

A march is set for 11 a.m. Monday, starting at the Freedom Summer Memorial on Miami University's Western Campus. Marchers will go through the city of Oxford to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park.

Services at Bethel AME Church, 14 S. Beech St., will feature an hour of live performances, chorale singing, prayers and reflections. For more information, call 523-8560.

A check for $4,000 was presented to the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Greater Cincinnati by the Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Chapter members raised the money in an annual walk-a-thon.

The money will help awareness projects and camps for youngsters with sickle cell anemia or trait, in which one hemoglobin gene has been inherited, but the child has no symptoms. It can lead to sickle cell disease.

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