MANCHESTER, NH— St. Mary’s Bank announced it recently donated $2,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua to help provide for the staffing, equipment, volunteer training and supplies necessary to operate its after-school education program for members aged eight through twelve.

The program aims to improve children's academic performance, instill skills to succeed in school, prepare students for higher education and help build confidence. The Boys & Girls Club expects 350 - 400 youth will participate in these programs for fiscal year ’09.

“The Boys & Girls Club provides important services for the youth of Greater Nashua,” said Tom Champagne, Director of Community Outreach at St. Mary’s Bank. “They give a safe haven as well as educational assistance and instruction to children who might not be getting it at home. St. Mary’s is pleased to support their endeavors.”

The donation will specifically help fund “Power Hour,” a key component of the organization’s educational program. Providing daily homework assistance that reinforces classroom learning and supplements educational efforts, the program is structured to teach goal setting and motivate and reward members when they complete homework assignments. Members receive assistance from staff, trained volunteers and peer leaders and are able to earn points for rewards, incentives, prizes and special activities. In addition, they are recognized for their accomplishments.

“Thirty (30%) percent of our members live in households with an annual income of $20,200 or less,” said Leslie Sanderson, Director of Advancement. “We’ve discovered that children coming from low socio-economic backgrounds and/or the inner city are often at risk of academic failure and in need of after-school homework assistance. With St. Mary’s generous donation, we’ll be able to provide our members with the help they need.”

For more information on the programs and services offered by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, call 603-883.0523 or visit their Website at http://www.bgcn.com.