With all the negative news of huge financial institutions and CEOs fleecing the American Taxpayers out of billions dollars, it's easy to overlook the big corporations that are actually working with families during these hard economic times and offering some well deserved relief for stretched thin households. First, there is Walgreens. Starting today, they are offering free clinic visits and routine treatment for common illnesses for those that are uninsured and jobless through the end of the year.

NEW YORK — Drugstore operator Walgreen will offer free clinic visits to the unemployed and uninsured for the rest of the year, providing tests and routine treatment for minor ailments through its walk-in clinics _ though patients will still pay for precriptions.

Walgreen said patients who lose their job and health insurance after March 31 will be able to get free treatment at its in-store Take Care clinics for respiratory problems, allergies, infections and skin conditions, among other ailments. Typically those treatments cost $59 or more for patients with no insurance.

It's so nice to see a large corporation stepping up to the plate in times like these. And the company has no idea how much it will even cost them. I have a feeling it will end up being quite expensive, but the good publicity they receive will probably make up for it.

Hal Rosenbluth, chairman of the Take Care Health Systems division, described the plan as something close to an experiment: He said Walgreen isn't sure of patient demand or how much providing the services might cost the company.

The offer extends to spouses and children as well. Huzzah Walgreens!

The next companies are already in distress financially, but what they are offering could reap big rewards once things start getting better economically. Both Ford and GM are offering to make the payments on automobiles whose owners have lost their jobs.

Ford said Tuesday it will cover payments of up to $700 each month for up to a year on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle if consumers lose their jobs. The program runs until June 1.

Hours later, GM said it will make a similar offer. GM's new CEO, Fritz Henderson, said the company will make up to nine car payments of $500 each for customers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Customers must qualify for state unemployment to be eligible for the program. The program starts April 1 and runs until April 30.

Not only do both of these programs help out the average consumer, but also have the potential to pay huge dividends for the corporations in public good will and profit, especially when we start to emerge from these dire economic times. I know I'm more willing to shop at Walgreens rather than say CVS knowing they are financing free healthcare for the uninsured. What about you?