Ask anyone around the world about Selma, Ala., and their minds will race back to pages in a history book or black and white video at a museum.

And while stories of the brightest and darkest days of Selma past are important, they aren’t the reason this city is great.

The reason this city is great is the people.

Over the past few weeks, I have seen several instances when the people of this community have gone out of their way to better their community.

Early last week I was able to cover a school supplies giveaway organized by the Edmundite Missions and the local Dominoes Pizza franchise.

Hundreds of area parents and children stood in line to get a free meal and a bag of school supplies.

There is an obvious need in this community that needs to be addressed, and events like the school supplies giveaway show there are people and organizations in this town who are committed to the better good.

On Thursday, members of the Old School Truck Club donated meals to residents at three local retirement homes.

The members of the truck club didn’t have to pay for these meals with money out of their collective pockets, but they did.

They didn’t have to spend a little time reminding the nursing home residents that each one of them is a vital part of this community, but they did.

Look around today, and you might not see a school supplies giveaway or a free meal being served, but you will no doubt see something today that will remind you why Selma is great.

Thursday evening I was returning to the office to write this column, when I saw a car traveling the opposite direction on Medical Center Parkway at about 2 miles an hour.

After passing the car I considered turning around, but was beat by another motorist who already made his way to the side of the road to help.

Being the owner of a Jeep, I am very familiar with being stranded on the road with a 2,000 lb. piece of useless equipment, so I turned around and helped push the car into a nearby parking lot.

I don’t tell you this story to shine the light on myself or pat myself on the back, but rather to point out the other cars that beat me to the side of the road.

I ended up joining Selma resident Anthony Moorer push the car, and while we were doing so, he summed up Selma for me.

“You’ve just got to help people out,” Moorer said. “Everybody’s going through something, and it doesn’t do any good to just pass them by.”

Just like every individual that makes up Selma’s population, the city has its issues. While the city will always have its issues to overcome, I have no doubt the citizens of Selma will see their city through.