The local Reaching Out For Kids program could become a golf training foreign exchange program.

Since 1998, Ron Dumas, an assistant pro at Reeves Golf Course, Linwood, has been volunteering to teach golf to local kids and has taken some to Runaway Bay, Jamaica, to play in the Ron Dumas Junior Challenge.

This year, Dumas is bringing kids from Jamaica to play in the Reaching Out For Kids tournament May 22 at Reeves.

Michael Barno (from left), Brent Highlander, Jim Peters, Ron Dumas, Jenny Carroll and Steffan Jennings are some of the people behind the Reaching Out For Kids golf program. Proceeds from the May 22 tournament will benefit programs for kids. The Cincinnati Enquirer/GARY LANDERS

"Reaching Out For Kids involves kids from all over Greater Cincinnati," Dumas said. "Ages run from 7 to 17. It is a mixture of different talent levels and different races. Some of the kids have never seen a golf club, while some are on teams at their schools."

Steffan Jennings, a retired police officer and program director for Reaching Out For Kids, said plans for the tournament are in place. "This will be our first tournament, and it is for all golfers," Jennings said. He said proceeds will go to help fund Reaching Out For Kids programs.

Jim Peters, manager of the Lindale Golf Course in Monroe Township, has been one of the big supporters of Reaching Out For Kids.

"When I first met Ron, he was buying equipment from me at a discount to take to Jamaica; but when I learned of his program and his passion for helping kids, I started donating equipment," Peters said. "The Reaching Out For Kids is a wonderful program. I am going to try to attend the tournament."

For more information about the tournament, call Jenny Carroll at 300-7370

Students' efforts honored

The Council of Aging in Southwestern Ohio has given a good grade to students at Summit Country Day.

The council presented the students with the John Wycliffe Fleming Youth Award, recognizing their time and energy in helping older adults.

The students volunteered with the Deupree Community Meals on Wheels program, helping to prepare and deliver meals to the elderly.

JoAnn Smith, Deupree Meals on Wheels dining services coordinator, said the Summit students incorporate volunteering as a part of their religion class.

The students and team members of the Meals on Wheels program were recognized during an award ceremony at Montgomery Inn Banquet Center.

Student art winners

Hanging in the Fitton Center's new Student Gallery at Miami University in Hamilton are works of winners of the 40th annual Greater Hamilton Art Exhibit.

Winners are Nathan Bennett, Hamilton, best of show; Robert McWilliams, Oxford, second place in three-dimensional; and Doug Taylor, Bellbrook, Ohio, second place in two-dimensional.

Honorable mentions are Gustavo Actis, Oxford; Connie Hanselman, Dayton, Ohio; Mary Mark, New Richmond; Ed Montgomery, Hamilton; Elizabeth Neal, Crescent Springs; Tiffany Hofmann Rees and Diana Whitmer-Francko, Oxford.

Bigg's workers give big

Local Junior Achievement clubs received a $16,000 boost from Bigg's employees last week through an annual bowl-a-thon at AMF King Pin Lanes, Anderson Township.

The money was raised from pledges, donations, a split-the-pot raffle and donations from Bigg's suppliers.

John Arnold, president of Junior Achievement Partners Inc., said the money will be used to help bring economic education to tens of thousands of students in the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky and Dayton areas who participate in Junior Achievement's K-12 in-school programs.

"Bigg's is a special partner for us, and we are thrilled that Bigg's employees have been so committed to Junior Achievement over the past 13 years,'' Arnold said. "In addition to financial support, Bigg's employees bring economic education to life by sharing with young people their own personal experience.''

Since the partnership started, Bigg's has raised more than $317,000 for Junior Achievement.

Bigg's employees also volunteer in the classroom and at Junior Achievement's Calling For Kids Telethon.

The employees are involved with 26 public schools in the Partner in Education Program.