For more than a year now — and probably closer to two — the weakened economy has dominated news headlines on both a local and national level.

Week after week, the focus is on unemployment, foreclosures, the stock market, etc…

It is only rarely — if ever — that we hear about something good happening related to our bleak economic conditions.

Last week, though, there was an exception.

Arc of Mower County, an organization that works as an advocate for people with developmental disabilities and their families, unveiled a new pool table at the site of its recently constructed recreation center.

The rec center was built onto the Mower County Senior Center, and the pool table was purchased by an anonymous person through an auction last year hosted by local radio station KAUS.

The man simply told KAUS officials to donate the item, along with several others he purchased, to local non-profit organizations.

“He said he had a good year and knew that somebody else could really use these items,” said Dawn Helgeson, Arc’s executive director.

Fortunately, not everyone has been affected by the weak economy, and it’s refreshing to hear about people like this anonymous donor who had a great year and want to give back to the community.