In this weekly feature, The Desert Sun spotlights valley firms performing good deeds.

Here's a sample of how some local businesses and organizations are finding ways to give back to the community.

Applebee's of Cathedral City hosted an Old Fashioned Pancake Breakfast in October to benefit the Palm Springs USO.

California Desert Association of Realtors held a “yard sale” in October to benefit three Coachella Valley charities — Animal Samaritans, Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City and Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

Citi Bank donated scholarship funds in October to the Coachella Valley Women's Business Center to underwrite the cost of training women entrepreneurs in the Coachella Valley.

Classic Yellow Cab of Cathedral City donated $1,000 in October in support of Feed the Children with local partner Victory Christian Center.

Classic Sedan, a sister company to Classic Cab, provided free transportation services to 60 firefighters from Mexico who were attending a week of specialized training in the valley in October.

DeCarlo's Restaurant owner Carl travels every few months to the Marine base at Twentynine Palms and feeds up to 400 servicemen and women.

Fiesta Mall in Indio provided free exhibit space to the YMCA for its preschool art show in October.

Jack Sauter's Tire Factory in Palm Springs was honored in October for its generous support of the Palm Springs Shrine Club. Over the past years, Sauter's has kept the Shrine Club's transportation van in good repair and most recently put four tires on the van — at no charge.

Palm Springs Front Runners and Walkers donated $4,500 to the Golden Rainbow Senior Center in October.

Sam's Club in Palm Desert hosted a breakfast and presented 10 teachers at Della Lindley school with $100 gift cards.

Point Loma Credit Union in Palm Desert hosted an art exhibit for Coachella Valley school children to display their art alongside artwork from autistic children in the “Kids Helping Kids” traveling art show.

Smart & Final donated $2,500 each to the Boys & Girls Club of the Coachella Valley, the Desert Cancer Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, and the Palm Springs Power Baseball Foundation in conjunction with its grand openings of the Smart & Final Extra! stores in La Quinta and Palm Springs.

Star Auto Parts and Auto Value parts stores are hosting a toy drive for the upcoming holiday season to benefit Southwest Church in Indio. Donate an unwrapped new toy and receive $20 in coupons redeemable for service and parts.

What is your business doing to give back to the Coachella Valley?

Share your thoughts with us by e-mailing Nina Ronda at nina.ronda@thedesertsun.com for our feature The Business of Giving Back.