By JON BAKER

PAWTUCKET — Over the past 14 years, nearly 140 businesses and individuals have contributed to the “Homers for Kids” program, one designed to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket's  many endeavors. In that time, they — with help from partners including the Pawtucket Red Sox and The Times — have raised a whopping $750,000.

A year ago, with a set goal of $80,000, those companies, organizations and individuals surpassed that donation number by about $4,000. This time around, all involved are looking to boost that amount to $90,000.
Naturally, it's a formidable task, but one Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket Chief Executive Officer Jim Hoyt — not to mention PawSox President/General Manager Mike Tamburro, Times' GM Richard Blockson and PBGC Board of Directors member Arthur Kaufman — believes is reachable.
In short, “Homers for Kids” is a summer-long corporate solicitation initiative that has been an anchor for the club's fundraising efforts since 1994, and the money gleaned benefits the city's children and teens by supporting its recreational and educational programs.
“The Boys & Girls Club depends on the 'Homers' campaign each year as a cornerstone for operating funds in order to provide top-flight programs for all kids that are members,” said Donald Baker, vice-president/branch manager of Sovereign Bank in Johnston and program chair. “The committee members and club leaders are pleased that the PawSox and The Times are continuing their long-time support in 2009. The promotion and exposure that each lends 'Homers for Kids' is critical to our success.
“Regardless of tough economic times, we're confident that another successful year of community support lies ahead for these deserving kids,” he added.
Stated Kaufman on Monday afternoon: “This agency is one of the best-kept secrets around. It serves more children than anyone can fathom, but receives the least amount of notoriety. What these
people do at this club is care for 4,000 youngsters in a variety of ways. The public may think it's all about athletics or sports, but it's so much more than that.”
Hoyt noted that club employees tutor children, helping them with their homework and acting as … well, additional teachers. They also instruct them in character and leadership development; health and life skills; and even art and music programs.
“Some may not know we feed 150 children a night, giving them hot meals,” he said. “Anyone who wants to eat, the meal is there for them. We also have a reading/literacy program at our camp called 'Sun 'n Fun' (for those in first, second and third grades). It's a collaboration with the Pawtucket School Department, where teachers come in and instruct the kids in a camp setting.
“In addition, we have received a grant from the Nellie Mae Foundation for a similar program both at 'Sun 'n Fun' and Camp Ramsbottom in Rehoboth,” he continued. “Those are for children in fifth and sixth grades … I want to put an exclamation point on this: We're expanding our collaborations with the schools to support improvement of reading and literacy for all of these kids.
“Like I said, this year our goal is $90,000, and that increase is in response to the increased need of families and children in our area. That's why the board and committee decided on that number.”
It all started, Baker said, 15 years ago.
“We went out and started knocking on the doors of local and/or area businesses, and asked them – as well as individuals – to make contributions,” he offered. “It was designed to support the club's summer programs. My role was to engage all the professional people in the area and request their participation.
“It almost runs itself now,” he continued. “So many of the same businesses year after year continue to step up to the plate, delivering funds to the club. There's so much respect for what it's trying to do for the children, and it continues to do so. It's an amazing thing.”
If one questions the need for such a fundraiser, Hoyt has several answers: Did you know a quarter of the city's youngsters now live at or below the federal poverty threshold, or that nearly half of Pawtucket's kids live in single-parent homes? Did you know only 55 percent of fourth-grade students are at or above their proficiency level for reading, or that 22 percent of Pawtucket students don't graduate from high school?
He then delivered how the club delivers solutions to those problems – among them: It has provided hope, inspiration and opportunity since 1900; more than 4,000 youngsters are members, with registration fees of only $30 annually (while the cost per child adds up to approximately $600); and it offers a safe and fun alternative with programs in five key areas, including character and leadership development; education and career development; sports, fitness and recreation; the arts; and health and life skills.
“This all still works the same way; donations are given for every home run hit by a PawSox player during the entire season,” Tamburro said. “It was 15 years ago that we spoke to the Boys & Girls Club when Mike Pappas was in charge. We were looking for a way to help them raise funds, and it's been a successful endeavor ever since.
“The Times has been a great media partner in getting the word out to the community,” he added. “We continue to encourage the business community to support this club, and what it's trying to do for our children. Year after year, those companies and individuals back this thing, and it's a real pleasure to witness what it's done.”
Every sponsorship includes the donor's company name listed several times monthly in The Times; and also on the McCoy Stadium message board before and after Sox games. Those choosing to become “Grand Slam Club” members ($2,500 or more) will receive an on-field presentation following the last tilt of the season, or “wrap-up game,” two barbeque tent tickets for the final game and 30 complimentary tickets to that finale; while the “Home Run Club” donors ($1,000 to $2,499) will garner
an on-field presentation at the season's final contest; one barbeque ticket and 25 complimentary ducats to the same.
Other opportunities include the Triple, Double and Single Club memberships.
For more information on those sponsorship levels, call Amy Gravell, the PBGC's Development Officer, at (401) 722-8840 or visit www.bgcpawt.org.