If you have a spare coat, new or gently used, don't stash it away in the closet or attic. Take it to the nearest fire department or IGA Super Market.

        It can be part of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul and the WLWT Channel 5 Cares coat drive, starting Wednesday and throughout November.

        City Dash will provide collection service. St. Vincent dePaul will distribute the coats to those in need in December.

        Liz Carter, executive director of the St. Vincent dePaul Society, said the goal this year is 3,000 coats; that's 500 more than last year.

        “We have learned that there is an overwhelming need for some families to get coats for their children,” she said.

        “Sometimes it is hard for a low-income family to provide three coats for three children. We found that there are families with new coats in their closets not being used, and they were glad to donate them.”

        The society has been helping poor and needy residents of Cincinnati and Hamilton County for more than 130 years. The coats will be distributed to its clients and through other agencies that work with needy families.

        Fire departments participating are: Colerain, Green, Whitewater and Anderson townships; Harrison, Hamilton, Forest Park, Milford, Blue Ash, Springdale and Mount Healthy.

        In Northern Kentucky, the participating fire departments are Covington, Florence, Newport and Alexandria.

        For more information about the drive, call 513-562-8841. To learn how to receive a coat, call 421-0602.

        The Tropicana Search for Everyday Heroes of the YMCA this year involved a 16-year student at South Ripley Junior/Senior High School in Versailles, Ind.

        Kara Felde will be among eight YMCA kids honored Saturday at a power breakfast in their hometowns. Kara will receive a $3,000 grant for her community service proposal, titled Swimming Together.

        She is a member of the Southeastern Indiana YMCA in Batesville. Her program will use swim team members as volunteers to assist with an adaptive swim class.

        She will purchase specially designed swimming aids used for physical therapy and for swimmers with physical disabilities. The adaptive devices would make teaching water skills and basic water safety possible with more ease and comfort for students, she said.

        She is implementing her project with the help of her Y sponsor, Arica Jacob, and fellow YMCA swim team members.

        Kara recently was awarded the 4-H Grand Champion for Genealogy. She also worked as a page for the state senate for three years.

        The breakfast will be at the Southeastern Indiana YMCA, 129 South 30th St., Batesville.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Monday-Friday and Sundays. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people performing acts of kindness that are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at (513) 768-8362; at ahoward@enquirer.com; or by fax at (513) 768-8340.
       

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