An item that appeared in a recent issue of the Daily News is encouraging and uplifting during these most difficult economic times.

Members of the Lincoln School Homecoming Committee said they believe it is their responsibility to give back to their community. And the committee’s members put their money where their mouths were by making financial donations to West End Primary, East End Intermediate and Middlesboro Middle School to mark the Black History Month celebration.

The donations are earmarked for the school’s librarians to purchase high interest and grade level specific materials that focus on the African American experiences. The selections must also meet Kentucky standards for educational curricula.

We commend the Lincoln School Homecoming Committee for identifying this way of giving back to the community, especially remembering our younger residents. We are confident the librarians and school staffs are most appreciative of this donation and the sincere gesture behind it.

By donating to the libraries, materials can be utilized by students for years to come to gain knowledge of African American history.

Public education is hurting for funding these days, as are so many other governmental entities resulting from the troubled economy. Purchases like this probably wouldn’t happen if it were not for such groups as the Lincoln School Homecoming Committee.

We commend this group, and all the others who give generously, for contributing to worthy community causes.

The Lincoln School Homecoming Committee has set a good example for others in our community to follow.