University of Cincinnati Medical School Professor Wan Lim has always felt a strong pull to give back to her community. So when she came to the school four years ago, it was no surprise for her to volunteer as a mentor for students in Cincinnati Public Schools.

But now, Lim has gotten 85 UC medical students to volunteer their time with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative's Mentoring Program.

"I wanted to give back, and I wanted my students to be involved and learn from their mentees as well," Lim said.

Audrey Kesselring, 23, a first-year student originally from Mason, and her student, a fifth-grader at Fairview Elementary, share a common love of music and interest in health care.

Chanelle Lanier, a fifth-grader, shares a love of music and interest in health care with her student mentor Audrey Kesselring. (Pat Bevis photo)

"For being so young, she's very mature and taught me a lot about growing up quickly and having responsibility at a young age," Kesselring said of her student, Chanelle Lanier. "She keeps me in touch with what's important in life and my priorities. She helps keep me grounded."

Debbie Rohner, a 23-year-old Sycamore High School graduate, found that juggling the demands of medical school and mentoring Hyde Park Elementary fourth-grader Raven Stone has its own rewards.

"I get a little less sleep; it's worth it though," she said.

While the program has been successful with the students, Lim has often had to find creative ways to fund group outings for the cash-strapped medical students. The program has received a $1,000 grant from the Charles H. Dater Foundation but is looking for other supporters.

For more information, contact Lim at wan.lim@uc.edu

Alzheimer's efforts honored

Because she has touched the lives of so many people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, Diana Trenkamp has received the highest award given by the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Cincinnati.

At the agency's appreciation evening at the Quality Inn in Norwood last month, she received the President's Award. Trenkamp, of Fort Wright, has been executive director of the association since 1983. Others receiving awards for their volunteer work were Dana Bach of Augusta, Ky., who won the John Horn Memorial Award, and Rhoda Meyer, of Springfield Township, who was given the Elizabeth Bolles "Roll Up Your Sleeves" Award.

Perfect time for a pet

About 50 pets - dogs, puppies, cats and kittens - would like an owner for Christmas.

They will be at a "Homes for the Holidays," adoption promotion from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at PetSmart, 10164 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township.

"We want to make the public aware of the thousands of great pets waiting for adoption this holiday season in animal shelters," said Leland Gordon, executive director of the Animal Adoption Foundation, 2795 Chapel Road, Okeana. "Anyone who adopts a pet will get two months of free health insurance for the pet.''

The promotion is sponsored by the foundation and several pet rescue organizations

Information: 738-0020 or online at www.aafpets.org

ACTS OF KINDNESS: Storeowner chips in

There could be three people in Pittsburgh who have a soft spot in their hearts for Cincinnati after the holiday weekend, thanks to Harold Maggard, owner of Dixie Deli in Fairfield.

Of course, that was before the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-20 Sunday.

On Thanksgiving Day, two young men and a girl from Pittsburgh were having problems making a $16 purchase at the deli because they could scrape up only $11. Several attempts to pay using two credit cards failed.

Just as radio personality Kert Radel of WMOH-AM (1450) - on a shopping errand for his wife - was ready to pitch in and help, Maggard told the customers: "Never mind, Happy Thanksgiving." Maggard reached in his wallet and put a $20 bill in the cash register.

"I thought it was a nice gesture," Radel said. "Truly an act of kindness."

Maggard said it is not the first time he has done something like this in his 30 years in the business, and probably will not be the last.

He said the trio had filled their vehicle's gas tank and wanted to buy food but didn't have enough money.

When they realized they were short, they said forget about the food.

"I told them I couldn't let them go back to Pennsylvania hungry - no money and with credit cards that didn't work," Maggard said.