Linda Dalton of Springfield Township was among the local people who visited Ground Zero after 9-11.

She looked into the eyes of tragedy, shed tears with families of 9-11 survivors and delivered a bundle of hope to the New York Fire and Police departments.

Through her efforts as an associate member of the Springfield Township Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association, she led a drive and collected $10,000 for disaster relief.

Dalton, along with Linda Freland, also a member of the association, delivered the money to New York.

Saturday, Dalton will receive the Sons of American Revolution Law Enforcement Commendation Medal from the Cincinnati chapter of SAR.

The award will be presented at 11 a.m. at Four Points By Sheraton Hotel, 8020 Montgomery Road, Montgomery.

Dalton also organized a Police Appreciation Dinner and Dance in November 2001 to show public support for law enforcement officers in Hamilton County. Officers attended free of charge.

Last year, she arranged for representatives of the New York Port Authority to attend the appreciation dinner here.

"This was a great honor for us for them to come here," Dalton said.

When she talks about her trip to Ground Zero, she says: "I am still crying. I saw windows with dust on them where people had written notes to their loved ones."

Dalton came in contact with the Citizen Police Academy in 1997. Since she joined the alumni association, the organization has grown to more than 150 members in the past year.

"In her role as a private citizen, she has spent countless hours in support of local law enforcement," said Charles G. Edwards, publicity chairman for SAR. "She has organized events that encourage and allow private citizens and businesses to show their support and appreciation to local law enforcement."

Mount Healthy High School students Saturday will meet the 11-year-old Covedale Elementary sixth-grader for whom they have been raising money, at a birthday bash.

The students are giving the party for Joe Holthaus, who was diagnosed with leukemia at age 5. He has been cured since September 2001, and now helps raise money for research, education and aid to families of leukemia patients.

He was selected by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to be Mount Healthy's honoree in a "Pennies for Patients" fund drive.

The students have collected about $1,100 and will present the official tally to him, along with an Owls key chain (Joe collects key chains) at his birthday party. He turns 12 Feb. 19.

The students are part of the school's Beta Club, a national service organization whose members must have a 3.0 grade point average and accumulate community service hours to participate.

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.