Sloatsburg — Sometimes it comes down to that little bit of effort a student or athlete puts in alone, off the field or away from the classroom, that makes a real difference. These days, players and parents from all sorts of Suffern High School sports and activity programs are putting in some of that extra work at the FieldHouse, located at the Indian Rock Plaza in Suffern.

A corner sandwich and pizza place, the FieldHouse has an extensive collection of Suffern High School memorabilia lining the walls — trophies, state championship plaques, team jerseys, and plenty of pictures, some dating back to the black-and-white days of 1942. Co-owner Tom Baker calls his place “Home of the Suffern Mounties” — and for good reason.

For three years now, Baker has tried to make his place a center of Mountie support by inaugurating a unique fundraising strategy that compels Suffern students and athletes, and their parents, to give a little so that they can get back something for the home team. Baker developed a small business fundraising program well-suited to his establishment, where on a given night he will give over his restaurant to some Mountie cause. On that day, the featured program, whether it’s the swim or hockey team, or, like this past Sunday, the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams, get to take home 10% of all proceeds, usually during the restaurant’s prime time hours of 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“It’s a different way of solving budget issues,” said Baker, a Suffern resident who took over the business three years ago and renamed it the FieldHouse. “Times are tough and small business needs to get involved. Part of the solution to budget cuts are things like this, giving.” Baker’s plan rallies support from students and athletes, their families and friends, while drumming up business and giving back to the community.

“What I wanted to do was help fundraise in a different way,” said Baker. “And this is a different way than me just writing a check. It’s them helping me, me helping them.” Baker said the most successful nights are when Mounties get their friends and family to go to the FieldHouse, where the students can sell program t-shirts and even take part in a 50/50 raffle.

“They can kind of take over the place,” said Baker. “But they’ve got to help market it. If they’re not going to all come in and support it, then they’re not going to make any money.” This year so far, Baker’s efforts have raised more than $600 for various Suffern Mountie causes. FieldHouse fundraising extends beyond just supporting sports. Last spring the FieldHouse helped raise funds to send the Suffern Marching Band to Disney World in Florida.

“Because I typically do it from 5-9,” said Baker, “I’ve had teachers come in for lunch and ask me if I would wait until 5 to ring up the bill. And then they throw in an extra $20 for the kids.”

Baker said the fundraising program is successful enough that it’s something he plans to continue.

“It’s great for the teams,” he continued. “It’s not just about the money that they’re going to make, but it’s also the camradarie, getting all the parents together at a fun place. People have come in here who have never been in the place and they’re just amazed. The kids come in and they see pictures of their friends, and even themselves, on the wall. Not Derek Jeter — it’s them. It’s all Suffern.”

For more information on the FieldHouse, visit here.