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ATTLEBORO - The worldwide financial crisis is resulting in cutbacks for many government agencies, but local groups and businesses are coming to the aid of the city's schools with generous donations.

Bristol County Savings Bank presented the school department with a check for $10,000 Monday night to continue its support of a high school "credit recovery" program, and city teachers donated $4,000 for an intramural basketball program and assistance to families in paying sports user fees.

Bank President E. Dennis Kelly and Mayor Kevin Dumas were on hand for the bank's presentation, the business's latest gift to the city's schools. The bank contributed a like amount last year.

The credit recovery program allows students who have failed courses to make up lost credits and stay on schedule for graduation.

Members of the city's teachers union are contributing $4,000 in proceeds from last year's Rome Boulevard Road Race. Race organizers Jim Hawkins and Mark Ferruccio presented a check on behalf of sponsor Al Cerrone and the teachers to the school committee Monday.

A further donation of $500 went to the Rebeckha Whitefield Foundation last fall to aid local youth sports organizations.

"We recognize that students who are active in sports and other activities outside of school are more successful in the classroom," Hawkins said. "Together with help from several local organizations, including the Attleboro Police Running Team and the Attleboro Firefighters, donations have totaled more than $14,000 since the race began in 2005."

The local running club, the Wampanoag Road Runners, won the open division this year. They not only returned their winnings to be part of the donation, but also donated $250 to Triple Teaming Hunger, which is the Tedeschi Christmas Dinner sponsored by Attleboro High School in cooperation with Bishop Feehan and North Attleboro high schools.

Race sponsor Briggs Corner Pizzeria hosted the Attleboro High cross country team, which won the high school team event, at a pizza party in December. The Attleboro Bluefish Swim club won the middle school event. The Bluefish recently donated new lane lines for the high school pool.

The 2009 Rome Boulevard Road Race is scheduled for Oct. 4. Sponsors Al Cerrone, Drivers' Choice Driving School, Bristol County Savings Bank, and Houghton Physical Therapy have all been meeting with race organizers to plan the upcoming event.

Information about the 2009 race is available at romeboulevard @verizon.net or by calling Jim Hawkins at 508-226-1436.