Kathleen Lillie, 17, plans to complete her community service hours to achieve the highest rank in Girl Scouting on Saturday by serving chili, peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches and coffee to hungry people in Over-the-Rhine.

The East Central High School senior will receive the Gold Award, similar to the Eagle Scout award in Boy Scouts.

Lillie and some members of Girl Scout Troop 1126 of St. Leon, Ind., will serve the food from 11 a.m. to noon in Washington Park.

"We hope to reach about 150 or 200 people," Lillie said. "We did this last year and served 150 people."

She is busy this week, coordinating with troop members, classmates and friends for the Saturday project, which also includes distributing about 40 coats they have collected in the clothing drive.

The New Alsace, Ind., resident said she selected Over-the-Rhine to complete her work for the Girl Scouts honor because she believes it is an urban area that needs help.

"All we have here is one church and a tavern," she said. "Problems of food, clothing and crime don't exist here. I like reaching out to people in the inner city. We went through the Prince of Peace Church there last year and a lot of people in the area helped to serve the food."

Although urban and suburban dwellers face a totally different environment, Lillie found one thing in common: friendliness.

"We didn't have any problems because the people were very friendly and responsive," she said.

Lillie is the daughter of Steve and Nancy Lillie. She plans to study pre-veterinary medicine at either Purdue University or Butler University.

Two groups will receive a total of $40,000 from Fifth Third Bank to support their services to military veterans.

The Disabled American Veterans in Cold Spring will receive a $30,000 grant.

The grant will be used to support the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.

The clinic instructs severely disabled veterans in Alpine and Nordic skiing. The 17th annual clinic will be held from March 31 to April 5 in Snowmass, Colo.

Joseph House Inc. in Over-the-Rhine will receive a $10,000 grant. The agency provides rehabilitation treatment for homeless veterans.

Freelance writer Kathleen Heins will lead a writer's seminar in celebration of National Library Week Woman's Day, April 8.

The seminar will be held in the Huenefeld Tower Room, third floor at the Main Public Library, 800 Vine St., downtown, from 6-8 p.m.

Heins has written articles for Better Homes & Gardens, USA Weekend, Good Housekeeping and Runner's World.

For information, call 369-4571.

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.