PORTLAND — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine — which includes the club in Auburn — has received a $100,000 donation to its Great Futures Capacity Campaign from Dead River Company.

The $3 million campaign focuses on expanding the healthy lifestyles, educational enrichment and community engagement that the nearly 3,000 Maine youth, ages 6 to 18, find at the organization’s five locations in southern Maine.

“Dead River Company’s generosity continues to make a difference to the thousands of children and teens who come through our doors,” said Bob Clark, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. “The company has long supported our work, and this contribution to the Great Futures Campaign shows its true belief that what we do here matters to the future of our young people.”

Bob Moore, president of Dead River Company, said, “Through the years, we’ve seen the difference that these clubs can make in the lives of kids and teens. The clubs provide a safe, positive and fun environment where they can learn, and find support and opportunity. They become more involved and committed to their communities, which is important. I know, because I logged many hours playing basketball at the Boys Club when I was a youngster.”

In a 2014 survey of club members, 91 percent of those surveyed reported that they spend time on projects to help their community, believe they can make a difference in their community, or have done things to help people in their community.

One of the clubs’ programs, which will benefit from the donation, is the Junior Staff program, which helps members, ages 13 to 18, build skills to help them gain confidence and experience for potential employment opportunities in the future. Club members become program assistants for the clubs.

“This is especially useful for members at our Riverton Park Club,” said Tiffanie Panagakos, unit director of that clubhouse, “where for many of our teen and pre-teen members, English is a second language within their families. The job market can be a challenge for them to navigate.”

The Dead River Company donation also supports the clubs’ strengthen education programs with closer ties to schools to offer more homework support. In addition, the clubs will expand educational enrichment efforts to provide more exposure to careers and expanded college visits.

There is also significant demand from members and their families who face transportation challenges that hamper their access to the clubs.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine serves more than 2,600 members annually with locations in Auburn/Lewiston, Portland, Riverton Park, Sagamore Village and South Portland.

To learn more, visit www.bgcmaine.org.