Thumbs up to the Loranger Middle School students who participated in the “Jump for Japan” event recently. Students in the fourth through six grades jumped ropes, hula-hooped and shot hoops to help raise funds for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. In April, students found sponsors for their athletic efforts and the money they raised will go to the Red Cross for the relief effort. Even on a small scale, every dollar raised will help the effort, and it is nice to see students thinking about how they can help others who are less fortunate or in need of aid.

Thumbs up the all of the residents and supporters who turned out last weekend for the grand opening of Saco’s new Central Fire Station on North Street. Officials estimated 800 residents attended. After decades of planning and 10 months of construction, we are pleased to see this new station open with more adequate space and facilities. Congratulations to the firefighters and emergency staff who now call this new facility their second home.

Thumbs up to Sanford Police for beginning a new Restorative Justice initiative for youth who get into trouble. Taking the time to speak with young adults about their actions and allowing the victim the opportunity to explain how a wrongdoing affected them should help repeat offenses from occurring and migth even turn some young lives around. Officials say the program works and gets the community involved. According to the Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast website, which focuses on Knox and Waldo counties, 95 percent of youth who participate do not re-offend. Sanford Police have the right idea of trying to involve the community in the lives of its youth, and we hope it works out well for everyone.

Thumbs down to the Dayton Board of Selectmen for initially refusing to approve a warrant that would allow residents to vote on a proposed bond to pay for building improvements at Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach. Although the board reversed its decision and ultimately approved the warrant, not sending an item to the people for a vote is the wrong approach. No matter how board members feel about the project, the taxpayers foot the bill and should have a say on whether or not they would like to spend on school improvements. Impeding the ability of the school district to put forward projects also does not serve anyone ”“ not the taxpayers nor the students.

Thumbs up to the area non-profit organizations, business leaders and city officials who are exploring how to use mill space in a collaborative as a way to stretch scarce dollars and resources further. Andy Greif, executive director of the Community Bicycle Center, a Biddeford-based afterschool program, led a discussion last week about the benefits of creating a multi-tenant, non-profit center in the Biddeford mill space. A co-op of non-profit and other organizations could allow for sharing of staff, resources and overhead costs to help cut down on expenses and utilize individuals’ skills on a larger scale. We hope these organizations can work together to continue to provide their services in more efficient ways.

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Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.