The social responsibility of corporations is a topic of regular interest and some debate. In the Lansing area, we have historically benefited from the generosity of such corporate titans as Ransom E. Olds and General Motors.

However, especially when events have been so unkind to our largest corporations, it’s important to note that small businesses represent the largest number of employers in our nation, and that the owners of these small businesses (and organizers of small local organizations that rely on their generosity) play a major role in preserving our society and helping our people in mid-Michigan.

We are blessed to have many very generous entrepreneurs in our area, who have given much to our community.

Just a few bear mentioning:

—Joan Nelson of the Allen Neighborhood Center has organized numerous improvements for the eastside neighborhood in Lansing, which have helped homeowners repair and remain in their homes, bring food from local growers to a local market and beautify the area. Nelson is what I call a civic entrepreneur; she makes things happen in the neighborhood by pulling in every resource she can find.

—Colleen Davis of the Gone Wired Cafe in Lansing sponsors a pancake breakfast on many Saturdays for local charities. Recently she hosted the local missionary group’s efforts to maintain a women’s shelter in Lansing.

There’s something colorful happening every week at her cafe, which could be live music, a youth chess tournament or a Sunday morning church group.

—For 16 years, the members of the Lansing Moose Lodge hosted one of the area’s best youth baseball teams, on a meticulously kept field between Lansing and Eaton Rapids.

Now, Dart Bank of Mason is hosting the ballpark, which was created with support from local businesses including Kesler Construction, the Downtown Lansing Insty Prints, Shewchuck Construction and the Lansing Ponderosa Steakhouse.

—Mark Sprinkel of the Showroom Shine in East Lansing held a fundraising party for a local man who wanted to move to a place where he could live and work better with his particular physical challenges.

—Another local business leader, Jim Anderton, owner of Maplegrove Property Management, has been giving of his resources to the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. He recently introduced Anderson Economic Group, my own firm, to the opportunity to sponsor an upcoming spring concert.

We will be doing so because we want to make sure this fine institution continues to offer world-class musical entertainment in our area, even when so many other cities are having trouble maintaining their cultural treasures.

These small organizations are the backbone of charity and social developments in many towns across the country.

Here’s to you, entrepreneurs, organizers and volunteers of Michigan! You make us proud.

		Patrick L. Anderson is founder and CEO of Anderson Economic Group LLC, a consulting firm with offices in East Lansing and Chicago.