The Hawai'i High School Athletic Association's "SOS" (Save Our Sports) campaign to help offset public school athletic budget cuts has continued to gain momentum in its second week.

The grand total is expected to surpass the $600,000 mark, after contributions in the past week led by $15,000 from the Hawai'i Bowl Foundation, $10,000 from Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and St. Anthony graduate Shane Victorino, and $2,500 each from the Iron Workers Union Local 625 Stabilization Fund and Iron Workers Union Local 625.

Xpress Distribution, Inc., a uniforms and equipment company, contributed $3,000.

All money collected will be distributed to public high school athletic programs, which were affected by budget cuts that reduced state allocations to 65 percent of the 2008-2009 total.

"One of our goals is to help our youth and help sports programs, so this (SOS project) fits right in," said Ernest Nishizaki, president of the Hawai'i Bowl Foundation. "That goal is very, very important to us."

The Foundation's treasurer, Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl executive director Dave Matlin, said such grants usually are distributed in November, but the board considered this "a special circumstance."

"The vote was unanimous, we all felt this was a worthwhile cause," Matlin said. "We appreciate the support of the Sheraton executive committee and our (corporate) partners — that's why we are able to make these type of grants."

George Paris, director of the Iron Workers' Stabilization Fund, said he would like to "make a challenge" to other unions and businesses to match or surpass their contribution.

"If this is for the kids, then we felt we should participate," said Paris, whose kids and grandkids have played high school sports. "It's a worthwhile cause."

This week's list of contributors again includes many individuals who submitted gifts ranging from $20 to $1,000. Attorney Lester Leu submitted gifts of $1,000 from his wife and him, and the same amount from his law firm, Leu & Okuda.

The individual contributions also included $200 in memory of longtime Pearl City baseball coach Mel Seki, who died last year.

To contribute, make checks payable to "HHSAA SOS Account" and send it to HHSAA, P.O. Box 62029, Honolulu, HI 96839.

Contributions also can be made by going to www.sportshigh.com or at First Hawaiian Bank (checks only).

The fundraising campaign will run through Sept. 30.

For information, email info@hhsaa.org or call HHSAA at 587-4495.