We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: You people (our readers) are incredibly generous, and we have proofWhen we report about people in need—whether it’s from hard times or tragedy—you don’t lose interest as you turn the page. You take action. We know about youresponse because we get e-mails and phone calls.

A recent voluntary subscription drive launched by alfive Acorn newspapers tapped into your sense of goodwillas we pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds to various charities.

Each of the Acorn editions, from Camarillo to Calabasas, chose a cause that would benefit from the subscription drive. The effort also helped us defray the escalating costs oprinting and delivery, and helped us continue our quality coverage of local news and information. Ten dollars (or 40 percent of each $25 subscriptionwas to be given to a different charity in the communities we serve. And after all the checks were counted, more than $15,600 was raised for five worthy causes.

Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village readers donated more than $5,840 to Manna, the Conejo Valley food bank.

Acorn readers in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Oak Park and the city of Westlake Village donated $2,083 toward Meals on Wheels.

Other charities were Casa Pacifica, the Moorpark Food Pantry and the Simi Valley Metrolink Community Memorial.

Considering the state of the economy, we were humbled that so many of you opened up your pocketbooks on behalf of the Thousand Oaks Acorn and MannaVoluntary subscriptions still coming in will be divided with Manna the same way.

Thank you. Your generosity is sincerely appreciated. It’s a privilege to serve you.