“We’re blessed to be able to do something we love,” said Pauley, who was recently presented the Sullivan Tire/PawSox Spirit Award, given annually to the Pawtucket player that happens to demonstrate the most community awareness. “For us to take time out of our lives to go over and visit with these people for five minutes … it makes their day so much better and makes our lives so much better.” One of the causes Pauley backs took center stage Tuesday at McCoy. The team spokesman for the “Strike Out Hunger” program, Pauley looked on as a check in the amount of $75,000 was delivered to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The generous amount was made possible three-fold. Citizens Bank pledged $75 each time a PawSox pitcher recorded a strikeout. The final end was taken care of by Cox Communications, who helped spread the word with a commercial featuring Pauley. A healthy chunk of the “Strike Out Hunger” total was the result of Pauley’s mound efforts. While he doesn’t fit the profile as a strikeout guy, Pauley would scan the pitching chart after his starts, and in amazement, sometimes see seven or eight strikeouts.    To date Pauley has collected 101 strikeouts, which places him second on the Pawtucket pitching staff. He surpassed the century mark for the fifth time in eight minor-league seasons last Thursday in Syracuse. Lending a hand to the Food Bank served as extra motivation for Pauley. “It’s nice to be able to have a nice year and be able to contribute to (the Food Bank).” The rationale behind “Strike Out Hunger” is that, unlike baseball, the need for food is year round. The support is just as great in the summertime as they are in the winter months.  Before stepping onto the field, members from the Food Bank, Cox Communications and Citizens paid handsome compliments to Pauley. “For these guys to stop what they do and switch over to help with this charitable effort, it’s not a little thing,” said Food Bank Executive Director Andrew Schiff. “David was terrific.” Pauley’s generous spirit is felt in other areas. Through the Jimmy Fund he’s worked with Dana Farber and the Boston Children’s Hospital, most of those appearances the result of the developmental program the Red Sox run for the up-and-comers during the winter. Closer to home, Pauley has become a regular visitor over the last two seasons to the Veterans Hospital, located in Providence. “I’ve visited with patients. It’s rewarding because you get to see the other side of life,” he said. “We go over there and know that these people might not be in the best of situations. A lot of them are dealing with post-dramatic stress, but it makes you step back and realize what you’ve been given.  “We may take life for granted at times because we come out and play baseball everyday, but (making the rounds at the veterans ward) is really humbling and brings you back down to reality,” Pauley continued. Asked if the veterans know him on a first name basis, Pauley responded, “I think a lot them listen on radio or watch on television when we’re on, but I think the name brings a lot (more recognition) than the face does.” Pauley says he was fortunate in that he didn’t experience too many stressful moments growing up. Instead, he was instilled with a strong sense of family. Those values were installed thanks to dividing up the holidays in Nebraska, where Pauley’s mother hailed, and Colorado, home of his father. “We go one place for one day and another the next,” recalls Pauley. “To go away from not having (family) around all the time, it’s nice to surround yourself with people you can give that love to.” The chance to interact with fresh faces is important to Pauley. “You have your teammates and coaches that you see daily, but to give a little bit of happiness back, it’s most rewarding,” said Pauley. “It’s about giving back to what this life has given me.”