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ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The 12th annual Help Local Kids Succeed in School fundraiser is underway through a partnership between Ross Stores and the Boys and Girls Club to support academic success for local children.

For the past 12 years, Ross Stores across the country have teamed up with the Boys and Girls Club to raise money for the organization’s “Power Hour” program, their homework help initiative.

“Ross Stores and Boys and Girls Clubs are working together during this campaign for our Power Hour program, which is our homework help program. So it helps kids with their homework to enable them to have academic success in the classroom,” said Eddie McBride of the Boys and Girls Club of Albany.

The program provides qualified adults to help students with assignments, college applications, and career readiness, setting them up for long-term success in the classroom and beyond.

“The money raised helps us provide qualified adults to help these kids with their homework,” McBride said. “As much as $5 can help with a half hour of homework for a kid, $10 can help kids, an adult help kids with their college applications or any kind of career applications.”

Last year, the Albany club raised more than $2,400 through the campaign. This year, organizers hope to surpass that total.

“We definitely want to go higher than our total last year. So, you know, we’d definitely like to raise over $2,400. And from what I can tell, through the first week of the program, we’re doing really well,” McBride said.

Donating is simple. When checking out at any Ross store between Feb. 7 and March 1, customers can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar or give $1, $2, $5 or any custom amount.

“Customers are more than willing to donate at the register,” McBride said. “It’s just very easy and convenient way to help support kids in our local community here in Albany.”

Ross associates will ask customers if they would like to donate to the Boys and Girls Club during checkout.

The Boys and Girls Club of Albany serves more than 500 youth every day. Every dollar raised stays local, helping students succeed both today and in the future.

“So we serve over 500 youth on a daily basis. And so donating to this program is a great way, again, to invest in the kids for today, but also for our community for the future,” McBride said.

The fundraiser runs through March 1 at participating Ross Stores.

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