We can’t help but notice the generosity of our community of late, despite challenging and wildly uncertain economic times. Perhaps it’s time, then, we pat ourselves on the back for all this selflessness.

The latest evidence of our community’s giving attitude occurred when 200 people braved oppressive heat to take part in the second annual Be a Superhero: Team Sarcoma 5K Race at Indian Spring Park on Saturday.

The race, organized for the second year in a row by local teen Benjamin Moore, raised $10,700 for sarcoma cancer research. Benjamin, 19, was motivated to host the event after watching his younger brother, Andrew, last year suffer through painful chemotherapy and surgeries as he battled sarcoma cancer in his left arm. Andrew, now 10, is healthy and strong, but he remains Benjamin’s superhero, and that’s why Benjamin’s racer friends wore Batman, Superman, Spider-Man and Green Lantern costumes and ran through Waco’s ongoing heat wave with a pack of donors to raise money for this worthy cause.

“His bravery made him become our hero,” Benjamin told us. “We wanted to show everyone that they can be a hero and help fight cancer also by donating.”

Young Andrew, wearing a red cape, ran in the kids’ 1K race and was cheered on by the superheroes and spurred on by the community. “We’re excited about how many people came out to support this cause,” he told us.

Benjamin leaves for the University of Notre Dame next month but vows he’ll take with him the overwhelming generosity of his hometown and the knowledge that anything is possible. After the race awards were handed out, he announced that an anonymous donor had offered a $500 matching grant, if donations met their $10,000 goal. A murmur went out in the crowd, and soon Waco’s generosity showed once again, as sweaty runners ponied up more money and more than met that offer, bringing in $10,700.

“People are so encouraging here,” he said. “The community really comes out to support events like this. Waco is a great place.”

We think so. And we know so.

*  We watched in April as the community donated a record-setting $55,000 to KWBU-FM public radio as news of the shuttered public television station hit print and the airwaves.

*  We have witnessed hundreds of teens participate in weekend Waco Mission poverty simulations to learn about homelessness.

*  We are humbled by the hundreds of students with World Changers who came from across the nation last week, descending upon Waco to fix up homes and put on roofs in North Waco. Our city covered the cost of building materials for the home-repair projects, but local churches and community groups provided shelter, food and warm appreciation for the 230 or so youths.

*  We’re motivated by those like kayakers John Hendrickson and Allen Hunter, who last week braved dangerous waters to raise $12,000 for scholarships for transit workers.

Most of all, we’re heartened to know the giving goes on, regardless of the heat, regardless of the economy. You are all superheroes in our eyes.