Needy Children

The Evening Sun yesterday incorrectly reported the salary of Baltimore County School Superintendent Robert Y. Dubel. Before July 1, it was $106,161. Effective that date, he received a $9,000 increase, which he donated to a school breakfast fund for needy children. The Evening Sun regrets the error.Baltimore County School Superintendent Robert Y. Dubel say he will donate his recently approved salary increase to a school breakfast fund for needy children.The county Board of Education approved a salary increase for Dubel at a meeting last week, raising the superintendent's salary from $101,161 to $115,000, effective July 1.However, teachers and other school system employees, along with county workers, did not receive a pay raise in the current county budget.

Wanda Heverling and her two young children lie ill with strep throatjust a few days before Christmas, but the 27-year-old mother couldn't be happier.With a bit of luck and a lot of heart, Heverling andabout a dozen people from an Odenton community association raised $2,300 to buy toys for needy children.Heverling can't quite believe it."There are no words for whatI feel," said the Chapelgate resident, who came up with the idea of the raffle."We were only shooting at $1,500, and to get to $2,300-- I'm just overjoyed.

Don't panic yet, but there are only 78 shopping days left 'til Christmas.That's right. Even though roadside stands still are stuffed full of pumpkins, the ever-vigilant merchants marketing Santa Claus realize that less than three months remain to persuade shoppers to indulge in a traditional flash-the-plastic spending orgy.The first signs of the standard fall campaign have been subtle so far: a few spot radio ads, replenished greeting cards and rolls of shiny gift wrap tucked between the candy corn in Rite Aid.Some skeptics, frustrated by the ever-increasing commercialization of Christmas, may prefer to close their eyes to the first fake wreaths and say, "Bah, humbug," to jingle bells in October.

WASHINGTON -- A report to be released today by a bipartisan advocacy group argues that federal and state governments have failed to pay for child care programs for lower-income children that would lessen the likelihood that they would later commit crimes. "Quality educational child care in the first years of life can greatly reduce the risk that today's babies and toddlers will become tomorrow's violent teens and adults," states the report, a copy of which was obtained by The Sun. "Inadequate child care -- the only kind millions of families can afford -- can actually multiply the danger that at-risk children will grow up with problem behaviors that can lead to later crime and violence," it says.

As Christmas approaches, one group of west county boys and their families will have a bond with children they have never met.The 70 members of Cub Scout Pack 737, their siblings and even some teachers at Clarksville Elementary School bought, wrapped and bundled gifts for 115 needy children in Baltimore."

In keeping with a Baltimore tradition, partygoers will raise a glass - and money Thursday night for Christmas gifts for needy children. The wine tasting at the National Federation of the Blind benefits Santa Claus Anonymous, a local organization that has been providing holiday presents to kids for the past 75 years. This year the group hopes to raise $300,000, which will find its way to needy families via some 20,000 $15 gift certificates. Unique to Baltimore, Santa Claus Anonymous was started in 1934 by Theodore R. McKeldin, who went on to become mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland, the only Republican to hold both offices.

The Professional Golfers' Association Tour trumpets the fact that its biggest winner each season is charity, although for every tour-associated recipient there are hundreds of charities across the country using golf as a vehicle for fund-raising.The biggest winner may be charity, but it is largely thanks to corporate America, which supports these endeavors by contributing vast sums of money to ensure their success.At the same time, however, for every national agency, such as those fighting RP, MS, cancer, heart and kidney disease, and cystic fibrosis, for instance, there are many community-based organizations that rely on golf events as fund-raisers.

Otis R. Redmond, a career soldier who fought in three wars during his 30 years in the Army and enjoyed collecting toys for needy children, died Sunday when his pickup truck crashed into a tractor-trailer on Philadelphia Road in Belcamp. He was 85. Traveling with the Aberdeen resident at the time of the accident was his golden retriever, Black Jack, named for Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, who led the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War I. "The dog survived the accident with only a cut on his chin, and he'll be coming home today," said Susan Hanson, a niece who lives in Raeford, N.C. "Our uncle loved that dog, and it was the third golden retriever that he named Black Jack.

They were pink, green and purple, emblazoned with images of Aladdin, Barbie and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. And there were hundreds of them: miniature backpacks, lunch boxes and thermoses, only slightly used.Shelley Laub eyed the pile of donated containers scattered at her feet with a mildly frazzled expression. Once again, she had collected many, many more backpacks than she had expected.About a month ago, Laub, a 42-year-old homemaker who also runs a home-based business, asked her Columbia neighbors to donate backpacks and lunch boxes they no longer wanted to the needy.

Don't let the black leather jackets, the Harley Davidson T-shirts or the six-packs of Budweiser hanging from their belts fool you. These guys do have a soft spot.Just ask Janice Lipscomb, who stood near the entrance to Fort Smallwood Park Saturday and collected toys for needy children from the 80,000 bikers who took part in the 10th annual Operation Santa Claus."You never know who is going to be sentimental," said Lipscomb, director of social services for the Baltimore area Salvation Army.