The Hawai'i High School Athletic Association's "SOS" (Save Our Sports) campaign to assist public schools has now surpassed the $1 million mark.

The campaign — which started on July 28 — received $55,330 in contributions this past week, including $25,000 from Grace Pacific Corp., $10,000 each from the Farrington Alumni and Community Foundation and Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association of Hawai'i and the Plumbers & Fitters Local Union 675, and $5,000 from Bionic Chevron.

The SOS Fund's running total is now at $1,041,191.

"Our public schools continue to be overwhelmed and appreciative of the generosity shown by so many companies and individuals," said Keith Amemiya, the HHSAA executive director.

All money collected through the SOS Fund will be turned over to the state's Department of Education, which in turn will distribute it to Hawai'i's 55 public high school athletic departments according to a set formula based on student participation. Each public high school athletic department recently saw its state allocation for supplies, equipment and transportation slashed by 50 percent compared to 2008-2009, part of an overall reduction of more than 36 percent for sports.

The cuts also included reduction in stipends for coaches, resulting in the elimination of assistant coaches or coaches working for free.

Grace Pacific, which specializes in construction-related materials and services, broke down its contribution into $5,000 each representing O'ahu, Kaua'i and the Big Island, plus Maui and Moloka'i (from Maui Paving LLC, an affiliate of Grace Pacific).

"Grace Pacific Corporation is very happy to support this wonderful cause," chief executive officer David Hulihee said in a written statement. "It is important for Hawai'i's young men and women to continue to participate in sports as part of their education. Learning good sportsmanship and healthy competition comes from being part of a team. And when young people focus on bettering their techniques and working hard to become the best, it helps keep negative influences out of their lives."

An online auction has been set up at www.saveoursportshawaii.com to raise funds for the SOS campaign.

The auction, which started Monday and will continue through Wednesday, includes items such as: