Editorial

Sometimes enduring tough economic times reminds us of certain
generosities, help and volunteer efforts we might take for granted
when times are better.
Perhaps this winter of a lingering recession and slow commerce
is one of those times. We can all take a look around our community
and be reminded of how fortunate we are — and how grateful we
should be — for our locally-owned businesses, civic clubs,
boosters, volunteers and our philanthropic programs.
A recent county-wide survey concludes that most local businesses
and their employees have continued to give and remain as generous
as possible, even while dealing with their own reduced revenues and
incomes.
Of all other elements and activities that make our collective
communities such wonderful places in which to live and work, the
unsparing charity of our local businesses and civic club members
may rest at the top of a very prideful list.
To ever take these unsolicited donations and volunteer efforts
for granted would be a terrible shame. Yet it happens.
How many times have we seen one of our local grocery or hardware
stores make repeated donations to many (not just a few) local
schools, fund raisers or projects and then see these projects, food
booths or event tables full of bought goods from a Costco or other
non-local store? Rarely do the local businesses complain and they
just keep on giving. Bless them.
The newly released study, “Business Philanthropy in Sonoma
County” from the county’s Economic Development Board reported on in
today’s newspaper by reporter George Snyder profiles the millions
of contributions our local strong business sector makes to our
overall “quality of life.” The report shows how dependent all of
our non-profit and community-based organizations are on a
successful and profitable business community.
How full would our local food pantry be without contributions
from our local stores, their shoppers and their business
partners? The thousands of volunteer hours (and money) that keep
our Blood Bank of the Redwoods operating comes from 250 local
companies and workplaces that hold blood drives. Last year 45,000
pints of blood were collected at local worksites during normal
working hours.
Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Exchange, Soroptimist and 20-30 Active
clubs donated over $1 million and tens of thousands of volunteer
hours to our local schools, youth, seniors, art and environmental
causes.
Business associations such as the Sonoma County Alliance, North
Coast Builders Exchange, Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and the
North Bay Association of Realtors all incorporate community
volunteering and philanthropic programs in their primary
mission.
Look around town and the county. The most visible and most
successful businesses share one basic trait: they all believe
“giving back” is a key value of doing business. Any business
unwilling to practice generosity is probably getting ready to shut
its doors. Employees take extra pride in working for companies that
participate in regular charitable giving. And, consumers and
shoppers also notice. Part of the county’s study showed that 87
percent of consumers are likely to switch from one store to another
so long as prices and quality remain about equal.
Here at this newspaper we provide as much support and publicity
as possible for as many “good causes” as we can find. We are proud
to tell the stories of our many local volunteer heroes and we do
our best to point out the continued need for more of us to find
ways to help one another.
In economic times like these, it is difficult and sometimes
impossible for many of us to give as much money as our numerous
community-based groups and non-profits need.
There are many forms of giving and philanthropy. They all begin
with giving thanks to those we should never take for granted.
— Rollie Atkinson