Sounding like he was on the campaign trail again, Mr. Obama tried to create a sense of urgency for the crowd of 1, 600 people inthe Southwest High Schoolgym.
Through its marketing unit, the firm got Kmart involved in donating to a dozen community improvement projects, including the overhaul of a teen center in Goleta, Calif. and a new scoreboard for thegym at Ridgewood High Schoolin Norridge, Ill.
Thomas Adams, 16, was practicing indoors inthegym of Blessed Sacrament School when he was struck by a pitch, stood up and said, "I can't breathe, " authorities said.