Two families are planning an event called the Ooh-Rah Fest to honor their sons serving in the Marines in Iraq and to raise money for the Marine Corps Ball fund.

Pat Baute of Milford and Carol Dobb of Delhi Township are planning the event at St. Gertrude Parish Center, 6551 Miami Ave., Madeira, starting at 1:30 p.m. July 17.

Baute's son, Dan Baute, and Dobb's son, Justin Dobb, both 21, are serving with the Dayton Unit of Military Police Company C in Iraq. The reserve unit is attached to the Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment First Marine Division and the First Marine Expeditionary Force, deployed out of Twentynine Palms, Calif., near Camp Pendleton.

"They were freshmen at Ohio University and decided to go into the Marines,'' Baute said. Ooh-rah is a motivational cheer used by the Marines.

Festival organizers Carol Dobb (left) and Pat Baute show photos of their sons, Marines serving in Iraq. With their fund-raiser July 17 they hope to send members of their sons' unit and their spouses to the Marine Corps Ball. The Enquirer/TONY JONES

"We are cheering for them here, while they are fighting for all of us over there,'' said Terry Baute, Dan's father, who is a former Marine.

Pat Baute said the Ooh-Rah Fest is a family-fun event.

"We will have a cornhole tournament, karaoke, split-the-pot, Chinese raffle, food, soft drinks and beer,'' she said.

The Marine Corps Ball fund sponsors a the ball that celebrates the birthday of the Marines Corps, founded in 1775.

Pat Baute said they plan to offer the ball free to members of MP Company C and their spouses, about 175 people. The unit is scheduled to return in September.

"We think they will need a big party when they return,'' said Dobb. "This is their second hitch in Iraq.''

The Marine Corps Ball will be Nov. 6 in Dayton, Ohio. For more information, call 248-2723.

Quarters add up

A youth panel has awarded $11,400 to the We Care Project of Wesley Education Center for Children & Families.

The panel is made up of United Way Youth of Greater Cincinnati's Youth Action Council.

The council is made up of students in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. They raised the funds by running a campaign called A Quarter's Worth of Caring. It is based on the idea that students can see how much of a difference they can make to improve people's lives and the community by giving as little as a quarter.

The students plan and run many of the campaigns in schools.

Staff and volunteers at We Care Project work year-round with school-age students in after-school and summer camp programs to foster understanding of issues relating to homelessness and hunger.

Dogs, owners walk

The Waggin' Tails Walk for dogs and their owners is 11 a.m. Saturday at Miami Whitewater Forest. It will be held near the main park entrance in the overflow parking area and will feature a one-mile walk.

Contests include owner look-a-like, most talented dog and best dressed. Proceeds go to the Animal Adoption Foundation.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the walk and does not have a dog can walk one of the available dogs at the Animal Adoption Foundation.

To get a pledge form, visit the Web site: www.aafpets.org.

Acts of Kindness

The Valley Interfaith Food & Clothing Center, 420B W. Wyoming Ave., Lockland, is gearing up for its back-to-school program with interviews for needy families starting Aug. 3 at the agency's office.

Marne Kappes, program chairman, said families will be interviewed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3, 5 and 6 and Aug. 9, 10, 12 and 13.

She said the interviews are done to determine if families meet federal low-income guidelines.

The program is for low-income families in Arlington Heights, Brentwood, Carthage, Elmwood Place, Finneytown, Glendale, Hartwell, Lincoln Heights, Lockland, Reading, St. Bernard, Woodlawn and Wyoming, Kappes said.

Families may apply at the agency's office.

Kappes said that for those who qualify, each child will receive a new backpack, new sneakers, school supplies, a new or gently used outfit and personal items such as deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo.

"I think this is a great program," Kappes said. "I started as a volunteer last year, and now I am serving as chair of the program. I think it is important that kids have a positive beginning to the new school year."

She said the agency is always looking for volunteers.

To volunteer, call Kappes at 761-4521.