Imperial, California - Small business is the engine that drives the American economy, providing the majority of jobs and the latest in innovation, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens.  The owners and operators of these enterprises can also lead the way when it comes to caring for the neediest in their communities.

Consider the successful Mr. Canary Company of Marion, Indiana.  The company makes pre-filled bird feeders utilizing a workforce consisting entirely of disabled workers and has done so throughout the two decades of its existence.  The business is doing good, but don't make the mistake of calling the woman who owns Mr. Canary a "do-gooder."

Jan Long is a savvy entrepreneur and is proud of her all-American company.  "We're not doing this for charity.  This is a great, completely overlooked workforce," she's quick to point out.

During the 20 years the company has been operating, it has been racking up profits at a healthy rate, defying the critics who said it couldn't be done.  It's now a million dollar a year enterprise with its products available at some of the biggest retail stores in the nation.