The present involves a $2,000 sponsorship for a "Fabulous Art" program from the Downtown Residents Council at the Children's Learning Center in the library, 800 Main St.

The program will be offered twice a week in June, July and August.

Children will produce artwork and make music.

"They will also be involved in the performing arts, such as dance,'' said Carolyn Janssen, children's librarian. "The program is now in the planning stages as part of our summer activities. We hope to get a lot of children who are in summer camp to participate.''

"We hope that children will have a fun library experience when they participate, as well as become more familiar with the Children's Learning Center,'' said Lisa Hamrick, manager of the center.

For information, call 369-3118

Wildey's a champ

Thomas Wildey does community service sort of the way Jon Kitna passes a football. Wildey is the winner of the Parade Magazine Cincinnati Bengals Community Quarterback Award.

Wildey of New Richmond will be honored with a grant of $10,000 donated in his name to the Boys & Girls Club of Clermont County, where he volunteers. He is also eligible to become the national Parade/NFL Community Quarterback winner.

"He definitely deserves this honor because I can't think of anyone else who has given as much to this club,'' said Nancy Beck, executive director of the club. "We need more like him.''

Other winners include Liane Phillips, Cincinnati Works Inc., $5,000; Johnda L. Keuffer, Teen Response Inc., $2,500; and Tom Guidugli, Buenger Boys & Girls Club, $2,500.

They wanted a party

They are just a group of friends who want everybody to enjoy Christmas. Karen Schupp, Helen Bisdorf, Erica Cieslak, Cathy Renner, Carol Perkins, Renee Lampkin and Alesia Smith, who is principal of Whittier Elementary School, arranged to serve 400 children from six schools with a Christmas party.

It took place last Friday at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel, Covington.

The hotel donated the use of the ballroom for the lunch, which was paid for by Audrey Gillespie, daughter of Haven Gillespie, who co-wrote "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with J. Fred Coots in 1934.

Sponsors needed

The Adopt-a-Family program, which matches families with sponsors and gets unemployed family members jobs, has fallen about nine sponsors short, said Rev. Raymond Jones, who coordinates the program.

Jones said even with three Cincinnati Bengals adopting two families apiece, more sponsors are needed. Bengals Tony Stewart, Riall Johnson and Reggie Miles adopted families Tuesday and took them shopping.

To be a sponsor, call 723-0033.

Jones said the office at Labor Solutions, 208 W. Liberty, Over-the-Rhine, will be open noon to 6 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday.

"Families in need can still celebrate after Christmas, if they get sponsors,'' said Bill Chenault, owner of Labor Solutions.

Acts of kindness

Random acts of kindness came just in time for a partnership between inner-city ministries CityCURE and City Gospel Mission.

The two agencies have sponsored a Christmas store each year since 1991. It allows parents who are unable to provide Christmas gifts for their children to shop at a prices they can afford.

But this year as the holiday season drew closer, the agencies faced a severe shortage of gifts, toys and clothing.

"We appealed to caring people in the community to come forward and help,'' said Angela Allen, administrative assistant at CityCURE. "I guess God knocked on a lot of doors because we were able to collect enough to open the store December 9-13.''

Allen said it received enough items for 401 families to shop for 1,267 children. The store was set up at Philippus United Church of Christ in Over-the-Rhine.

CityCURE has worked for more than 30 years on other projects for urban youths, including mentoring, free meals, arts training, tutoring, and summer camps