Patrolman Steve Hoerst, of Cincinnati Police District 1, spends much of his off time organizing bike trips to Washington to raise funds for the National Police Memorial.

This time he hopes to take 12 bikers to Washington in May during National Police Memorial Week, and he hopes to raise $12,000.

"We want all we can get," said Hoerst, who organized fund-raisers for Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Paul J. Reinert, injured while chasing a speeding motorist on Sept. 3, 2002.

Officer Steve Hoerst

The nonprofit Police Unity Chapter III is sponsoring the bike ride. Hoerst is seeking volunteers for a benefit party from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dec. 5 at Red Cheetah and Neon's, 12th and Main streets downtown.

For more information, call Hoerst at 260-2809 or visit www.policeunitytour.com.

FreeStore fund-raiser

Steve Gibbs, president and CEO of FreeStore/FoodBank, is leading business leaders, volunteers and residents in an awareness campaign, "Hunger is Unacceptable."

Gibbs, who has 30-plus years in the battle against hunger, said the campaign aims to raise $1.25 million to help the FreeStore serve more than 250,000 people in 20 Tristate counties during 2004.

For information, call 482-7539 or 271-7222.

OUR KIDS

Teddy bears soothe loss

Emma Lawson and Blayke Ashcraft, both 9-year-old fourth- graders at Caywood Elementary School, Crestview Hills, are depending on toy teddy bears to soothe the pain of losing a special friend.

Their friend, whom they did not wish to name, will be moving to a new school and facing the task of making new friends.

Emma and Blayke each took $10 from their savings and made teddy bears at the Build a Bear booth in Florence Mall to give to their friend. "They wanted to give her a present to remember them," said Teri Lawson, Emma's mother. "Blayke's grandfather was so impressed with their generosity that he reimbursed the girls."

SALUTE TO SOLDIERS

Plebe training

Midshipman 4th Class Caroline Brochu has completed Plebe Summer at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. The Mason High School graduate is the daughter of Peggy and Tom Brochu of Mason.

Airmen training

These airmen have graduated military training from Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas:

Wesley Couch, New Richmond High School graduate and son of Donna Feck of New Richmond and Don Couch of Springdale; Raymond Dettmer, Roger Bacon High School graduate and son of Maria Schon of Springdale and Michael Dettmer of Hamilton; Teri Doughty, graduate of Turpin-Life Skills Center of Cincinnati and daughter of Joann Ballman of Mount Carmel; Jonathan Hardig, the son of Kevin Hardig of Miami Township, Hamilton Township; Brian Jackson, Roger Bacon High School graduate and son of James and Carol Jackson of Springfield Township, Hamilton County; Bradley Leisure, a Mason High School graduate; and Jonathan Richardson, graduate of the Life Skills Center.

To submit an item, call 755-4165.