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Some area martial arts students are turning their workout into a fundraiser to help families with critically ill children, and anyone can join in the action.

Students from the Innovative Martial Arts Academy in Wake Forest will conduct their Kick-A-Thon for Jesica's Hope Chest on from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8.

The event, which is part of the academy's own Community Service Month, takes place at 1241 S. Main St., Suite 15. You can help by participating or by sponsoring a student. Contact school owner Charles Falk at 919-562-4663, e-mail charles@martialartsforlife.ne or visit www.martialartsforlife.net.

Here are more of Susie Wilde's recommendations for books on politics for children:

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Other books of note:
“Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote” by Tanya Lee Stone (Holt, $16.95, ages 6-8). “What would you do if someone told you can’t be what you want to be because you’re a girl?” This biography tells about a woman who bucked the system.
“Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics” by Catherine Thimmesh (Houghton, $17.00, ages 9 and up). Portraits of 20 brave and tenacious women, including congresswomen, suffragettes and leaders around the world.

Around the Triangle, philanthropy wears running shoes.

All it takes is a slight cooling of the weather in late summer or a slight warming in late winter, and the announcements for road races start rolling in. Nearly every race is conducted to raise money to benefit a nonprofit organization or a special cause. If you don't run, you still can help - just send a check or donate online.

Runners of all experience levels participate, and many events offer walks for non-runners and short races or activities for the younger set. Dogs have their day, too.

For the highly competitive runner, the races offer plenty of competition, too. Events such as the City of Oaks Marathon and the Magnificent Mile even offer cash purses.