Crime-Busting Taxi Drivers Among ‘Points of Light’

Following are the people and organizations that have most recently been named to receive President Clinton’s Daily Points of Light Award.The Points of Light Foundation, a Washington charity, assists the president in making the choices and carrying out the award program. More information about the award winners and the program is available at the foundation’s Web site, http://pointsoflight.org, or by contacting the foundation at 1400 I Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington 20005; (202) 729-8184.

The recipients:

1778. Cab Watch, New York, a citywide watch program in which taxi drivers report crimes and emergencies.

1779. Maria Rose, Baltimore, a singer who teaches music to disabled and mentally handicapped children involved in the Special Olympics. A song that Ms. Rose wrote, called “You Are the Flame,” commemorates the stamina, courage, and dedication of these athletes.

1780. Shirley Browder, Ormond Beach, Fla., who initiated and coordinates the Early ID Program for the detection of weaknesses in fine motor skills, visual perception, and basic language capacity of kindergarten children; Ms. Browder also started Word Wizards, an after-school program in which college students tutor area elementary schoolers in reading and math.

1781. Wings of Hope Foundation, Ponce Inlet, Fla., an organization that assists and supports the Children’s Home Society and Boys Town, and provides direct crisis intervention, problem resolution, and spiritual assistance to boys who are victims of abuse and abandonment.

1782. George Fox U., Newberg, Ore., which established a yearly service day during which the university closes and students and faculty perform community service in the local area.

1783. Annie Talley, Daytona Beach, Fla., who uses her home as a refuge for runaways and troubled children; collects food, clothing, and other supplies for poor people; and founded the Family Center at Ortona.

1784. Kids-At-Heart, South Bend, Ind., which comprises four intergenerational programs that pair elderly people with children in day care, kindergarten, and elementary school.

1785. The Medical Academy at Bert Fish Medical Center, New Smyrna, Fla., a four-year program in which high-school students work with hospital directors and physicians to create health-education programs for schools and the community at large.

1786. Senior Community Centers, San Diego, which provide nutrition, advocacy, health, and social services for the underserved elderly population of downtown San Diego.

1787. Long Term Care Ombudsman Volunteers, Brentwood, Mo., an organization founded in 1971 that provides advocacy services and information on nursing homes, government regulations covering them, and residents’ rights.

1788. Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Smithtown, N.Y., which supplies free guide dogs to the blind or visually impaired.

1789. Jennifer Birge, Decatur, Ala., who has devoted her time to working with developmentally and mentally handicapped people as a volunteer for the Special Olympics and as a counselor at Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults.