Victorino left his mark, and heart, in Philadelphia

His name is in iron letters stretched high across the brick front of the "Shane Victorino Nicetown Boys & Girls Club" in Philadelphia.

But the Maui native’s impact upon the 105-year-old building at 18th & Hunting Park Ave. and the community it serves goes to the heart.

"The same thing that he did for the Phillies, providing that boost of energy for the team, parallels what he has done for us," said Jerry Houck, a vice president of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.

Which is why, Houck said he has felt like a grief counselor this week dealing with emotions in the wake of the trade of the two-time National League All-Star to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"After the trade was announced, an elderly lady was on the steps saying, ‘I just heard the news and I’m so sad about Shane being traded; he’s done so much for this club and this community,’ " Houck said.

The kids who frequent the place were described as "upset" and Houck said, "I thought, ‘Wow, this is like a death in the family. A passing.’ That’s what it felt like."

IN A CITY where sports fans famously booed Santa Claus, Victorino is revered for more than his three Gold Gloves and clutch hitting in the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship run. He is prized for his community spirit and humility, as typified by the full page "Mahalo Philadelphia" ads that ran in major newspapers Thursday, thanking Phillies fans for their support over his eight years in the city.

With a reputation that now belies its centuries-old name, Nicetown is a distressed area of north Philadelphia afflicted with crime and drug problems and the despair that surrounds them. Its Boys and Girls Club, the main sanctuary for kids in the area and at the adjacent Simon Gratz School, was in such disrepair that it was shuttered after 100 years of operation.

Not long afterward, Victorino and his wife, Melissa, offered to help out. Through various East Coast fundraisers, including an annual fashion show he hosts, Victorino and his foundation raised $1 million to renovate, expand and reopen the club last year.

Officials say that, in addition to sports facilities, there is a computer lab, a library learning center and a game room. "With Shane and Melissa’s generosity, the kids around here have someplace safe to be now," Houck said.

IT IS NOT UNLIKE the work Victorino has done in Hawaii on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club of Maui, the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation, Waipio Little League, Saint Anthony High, the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and other entities.

But as considerable as the funds for Nicetown were, it wasn’t just the money, folks say. It was also a powerful statement toward building community hope and rallying support.

"He and Melissa are just genuine, authentic people," Houck said. ‘They care about the community. It wasn’t like, ‘Here’s some money, put my name on the building.’ They were involved from Day One," with hard hats and paint brushes.

"It will be tough to replace Shane’s energy, his grit and his enthusiasm, not only on the field but in the community," Houck said. But as Houck said he told the kids when the trade was announced, "While Shane is moving to another team to play for, he will always be a part of our team."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.