Tribune editorial board

Not to sound like a broken record, but as far as we are concerned, the Friends of Ironton just keep coming up No. 1 on our hit list.

In just a few short months, the civic group has accomplished such a diverse amount of good within the community that we had to stop and smile.

And do not for a second think that the group has allowed its success to go to its head as the organizers continue to look for new and innovative ways to give back to the community.

If they keep this up, the group may have to change its name to the Friends of Lawrence County.

Since it was formed earlier this year, the Friends of Ironton have helped purchase new bullet-resistant vests for the Ironton Police Department, helped several charitable causes including the Ironton-Lawrence County Memorial Day Parade Committee, purchased street signs for the area and hosted the Rally on the River event that brought thousands to Ironton.

No one would have blamed them if the group packed it up and called it a year. Not even close!

Over the past few weekends, Friends volunteers re-roofed several bathrooms at the Iron Ridge campground at Lake Vesuvius in the Wayne National Forest.

Really, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The group is sponsoring a bus trip to allow local fans to safely travel to and from the Tigers' last regular season game versus Columbus DeSales Oct. 29.

The Friends of Ironton have also agreed to pay the legal fees, approximately $1,000, necessary for the Ironton Port Authority to become incorporated and help the city improve its Web site.

Rick Jansen, one of the co-founders of the Friends of Ironton civic improvement group, moved to Ironton less than a year ago, but his leadership and enthusiasm have become infectious.

Let's not fall into a trap of sitting back and watching. Let's follow Jansen's lead and all become proverbial "Friends" in our own way.

Much as in life, every friend matters and can make all the difference in the world.