Hamilton County's Every Child Succeeds program is a recipient of the 2003 Counties Care for Kids Award for its counseling and guidance to first-time, at-risk mothers.

The program, headed by Judith Van Ginkel, an associate professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, has provided home visitation to pregnant women and new mothers for three years.

Van Ginkel said the program served more than 1,600 families in Hamilton County in 2002.

More than 90 percent of ECS children, a high-risk group, are developing normally in cognitive, language, motor and socialization skills and have a regular source of primary medical care, Van Ginkel said.

"We are delighted to be recognized by such a prestigious group," she said. "We are also proud to be a good representative for Hamilton County."

The award is given by the National Association of Counties. Kenneth A. Mayfield, president of the association, said the agency seeks to highlight the critical role counties play in early childhood development and school readiness.

"Hamilton County's Every Child Succeeds program deserves to be especially recognized for its tremendous work and innovative ideas in caring for our nation's children and families," Mayfield said.

Jessica Everett, genetic counselor with the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, will speak at a meeting of the Pink Ribbon Girls at 6:30 p.m. May 19 at the Deupree Retirement Community, 4001 Rosslyn Ave., Oakley.

PRG provides support, education and outreach for young women with breast cancer.

For more information, call 207-7975.

When letter carriers show up at mailboxes Saturday, they will be doing more than delivering and collecting mail.

They want their customers to help them collect non-perishable food to be delivered to needy families. To help, leave non-perishable foods at your mailbox.

The food will be delivered to local food banks, such as the FreeStore/FoodBank, a United Way agency.

Carmen Roach, assistant manager for AFL-CIO/United Way Services, said the need for assistance in this region is more critical this year.

Many households do not have adequate food supplies, Roach said.

"This drive is one way you can help improve people's lives and make a difference right here in your community," Roach said.

The letter carriers will be joined by volunteers from the Postal Service Union, Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

The drive, one of the largest in the nation, collected 146,229 pounds of food in Greater Cincinnati last year.

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.