The last time around, they spent most of the walk talking, and finished last.

"I think we will try to run rather than walk this year,'' Kaiti said. "I feel pretty good. I have been able to get a little practice.''

Abby and Kaiti were born with genetic disorders and have had limited vision since birth. They met at the association for the blind and became close friends.

They share many interests, such as music, swimming and arts and crafts.

"CAB encouraged us to treat Abby as any other kid and put her in situations where she could interact with other kids,'' said Diane Bolling. "We did, and she has really blossomed.''

Abby will attend Whitaker Elementary School in Finneytown, and is in the music program at the association for the blind. Kaiti plays violin at her school, Monfort Heights.

The walk takes place Aug. 8 at Spring Grove Cemetery, Winton Place.

Kathy Gottschlich, director of the association for the blind, said the event will raise money for programs aimed at providing people with vision loss the tools to confidently do what they want to do.

"We provide affordable and comprehensive services, and as a nonprofit we couldn't do it without the support of the community,'' Gottschlich said.

Registration begins at 7 a.m., followed by the run/walk at 8 a.m. A Kids Fun Run for children up to 8 years old will begin at 9:15 a.m.

For pre-registration, download a form at www.cincyblind.org or www.sprunning.com, or call the Cincinnati Association for the Blind at 221-8558.

Volunteers honored

Edward F. and Dona Howard of North Bend have spent a lifetime volunteering in church, community and the Masonic order. They were recognized for their volunteer efforts at a statewide Masonic meeting in Bolivar June 25.

Edward Howard is the head of Ohio's Priory Number 18, Knights of the York Cross of Honour.

Dona Howard is the first lady of Ohio Priory.

Knights who are invited into the Priory must have presided over all four York Rite bodies of Masonry.

Edward Howard serves as choir director at North Bend United Methodist Church, and Dona is involved with the puppet and mime ministry with the youth of the church.

Nurses help in training

University Hospital gave the Holzer Cardiovascular Institute in Gallipolis a big boost in starting its new open-heart surgery program.

Twenty nurses from the institute worked alongside nurses at UC, learning how to harvest veins in coronary artery bypass procedures, how to handle and pass instruments during surgery, and how to care for patients in the intensive-care unit.

After the training, the institute successfully performed its first open-heart procedure on June 16.

Volunteers: Community Care Week

Individuals, companies and organizations are being recruited for the United Way Community Care Week Sept 11-18.

The volunteers will be matched with United Way and other agencies and perform needed improvement tasks.

Projects will include painting, landscaping, playground upkeep, creating Web sites, helping with cookouts for seniors, and more, said Patti Cruse, chair of Community Care Week.

She said companies can also assist by donating a variety of personal items, such as soap, diapers, shampoo and toothpaste.

Robert C. Reifsnyder, United Way president, said agencies can focus on serving their clients through the help they receive from Community Care Week.

"This is a great opportunity for organizations to partner with United Way and work together to improve people's lives and the community," Reifsnyder said.

Community Care Week started with one company and now has grown to 150 companies and organizations that donated time to 240 projects at 100 agencies last year.

Reifsnyder said the combined efforts of the volunteers saved more than $100,000.

To volunteer, call Kathy Collins at (513) 762-7175 or by e-mail, kathy.collins@uwgc.org