In this depressed economy, it is certainly understandable that some businesses will be looking to cut back costs as much as possible. That’s why it’s especially impressive to see the sacrifices that two local businesses recently made, to help their community.

Both of these stories are discussed in today’s paper. First, we applaud Action GM of Bainbridge for participating in a brand-new program to help encourage school teachers to go to work every day. The local car dealer is offering any Decatur County Schools employee, who has perfect attendance for a month, to be eligible to enter a drawing. The two winners of that drawing are then given the opportunity to drive a brand new Action GM vehicle for a month, with the dealer picking up the insurance costs as well. We feel this is a wonderful idea and appreciate Action GM’s gesture to do something nice for our teachers and school employees, who are often overworked and under-appreciated.

We also cheer the generosity of Cooper’s Heating & Air, which recently donated a $5,000 HVAC system to the Friendship House of Jesus, after the nonprofit agency’s previous air-conditioning unit was stolen. Friendship House does a lot of good for the community, and it’s great to see a locally-owned business make such a generous gift.

Of course, we realize that there are many more business out there who make donations and gifts, but never get the publicity for it. It would certainly take us much more space to thank all of those companies and citizens, but we want them to know that their gifts and sacrifices are very much appreciated. It’s wonderful when we all work together to make our community the best it can be.