ACE Night of the Arts 2012

The Shining Stars of PAL Perform at ACE Night of the Arts

Tucker PAL Cheerleaders

Seventy-five talented PAL youngsters showed off their singing, dancing and musical abilities on May 22nd at the third annual ACE Night of the Arts. Excited families, friends and PAL supporters gathered at the Locke-Millcreek PAL center in West Philadelphia for an evening of entertainment.

Hosts Amber and Ambria from Tucker PAL

Lead by remarkable twin hosts, Amber and Ambria from Tucker PAL, each performer received their five minutes in the spotlight. Several acts from Tucker and Audenried PAL centers sang some of their favorite tunes by Usher and Beyoncé. PAL cheerleaders made a fierce appearance with acts from Tucker PAL and Bluford PAL. The audience was blown away by the variety of acts that came out of Gibbons PAL: tap dancing, Flamenco guitar playing, gymnastics and a solo singer. Song and dance routines by Locke-Millcreek and Cozen PAL centers kept excitement high. Police Memorial PAL youngsters showcased all of the hard work they put into their dance program with two very well-performed dances to end the night.

Gymnastics group from Gibbons PAL

All participants received a certificate of achievement and a special gift. PAL and ACE Group are very proud of all of the talented participants and their courage to perform on stage. Special thanks to ACE Group for continuing to support Night of the Arts!

PAL Youngsters Honored

Ten PAL Youngsters Receive Good Citizenship Award

PAL youngsters from across the City were honored at The Union League of Philadelphia’s Good Citizenship Award Dinner on May 17, 2012. The students, Anthony, Mariah, Paul, Scott, Tobias, Brooke, Steven, Javier, Colin and Norma, were honored for giving back to their communities.

During the last 60 years, the Union League has presented this prestigious award to more than 13,500 people, including dozens of PAL children. Through PAL’s educational, athletic, mentoring and leadership programs, youth receive the guidance they need to become community leaders and succeed in the future. These ten award recipients are avid PAL members, taking part in all facets of PAL’s programming throughout the years, and often times volunteering at their own centers. The eleven honorees perfectly demonstrate the qualities necessary to receive this honor: “cooperative attitude, self-control, perseverance, good sportsmanship and efforts to uphold the best traditions and principles of the American way of life.”

PAL Officer Steven Brennan accompanied the children to the event. Brennan says he is proud of all of the award recipients, but especially proud of this year’s PAL group. “Talking with, in addition to seeing the expressions on the kids’ faces, reminds me of how important it is to continue doing the great work in ensuring that our children throughout the area all become good citizens. The Police Athletic League is extremely grateful to the Union League for permitting PAL to be a partner, along with providing the excellent opportunities for our children,” said Brennan.

Congratulations to all of this year’s Good Citizenship Award Recipients!

US Airways PAL Challenge 2012

18th Annual PAL Challenge

Team Harrowgate

Weeks of studying culminated on May 14th, 2012 at the 2012 US Airways PAL Challenge Finals at Temple University. Teams of sixth, seventh and eighth graders, representing all 26 PAL centers, competed in four regional competitions prior to the final. More than 160 PAL youngsters competed in this distinctive trivia game.

PAL Board Members Bob Ciminelli, Dr. Jacobi and Lt. Anthony with Team Gibbons

PAL Challenge is a hybrid trivia competition and an annual PAL tradition since 1995. In a unique fusion of “Jeopardy” and “Family Feud,” students answer questions from a variety of categories including Science, Math, Sports, Technology, History, and more. Teams spent more than one month studying facts from each category with Homework Club instructors, PAL Officers, and volunteer coaches from PwC.

Congratulations to Gibbons PAL for winning first place this year, and Cozen PAL, Cobbs Creek PAL and Lenfest PAL for also making it to the final four. All PAL Challenge participants received movie tickets for their hard work preparing. Students who competed in the final competition were rewarded with certificates of achievement, medals, plaques and T-shirts.

Bob Ciminelli facing off against Victoria from Gibbons PAL

Team Gibbons played an extra championship match against Vice President of PHL Hub Operations and PAL Board member, Bob Ciminelli, three other executives from US Airways, and PAL Commanding Officer, Lt. Anthony. Though they put up a tough fight, Gibbons PAL was victorious with 245 points. US Airways’ support of the PAL Challenge program helps continue a tradition of unique competition, positive sportsmanship, and the importance of academic achievement. Special thanks to US Airways for their continued support!

2012 PAL Award Dinner

PAL Award Dinner Honors Three Outstanding Individuals

On May 9, 2012, the Police Athletic League proudly bestowed the PAL Award on three very deserving honorees, Dennis Bianchi of WTXF FOX 29 Philadelphia, Daniel K. Fitzpatrick of Citizens Bank and Carole Haas Gravagno, Advocate for Youth and Friend of the Arts. These three individuals were selected for this honor for their unwavering support of and dedication to providing countless opportunities to underserved children and teens of this City through their individual philanthropy and encouragement of corporate and foundation support of PAL.

The 2012 PAL Award Dinner was held at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel. At 5:00 p.m., PAL’s Silent Auction kicked off the festivities. Hundreds of supporters swarmed into the auction area to bid on high-end items, experiences, vacations, sports memorabilia and more. A live auction, which offered guests the chance to bid on Phillies Phantasy Camp, a Riviera Maya vacation and an evening for 40 people in a customized restaurant, took place later in the evening.

The program, which was hosted by 6 ABC’s Cecily Tynan, began at 7 p.m. Several PAL youngsters were highlighted during the program portion of the event, including one young lady from Logan PAL, who beautifully belted out God Bless America. Attendees also heard from Erin Dwyer, who was the Honorary Mayor during this year’s PAL Day at City Hall, and Amile Jefferson, a McDonald’s All-American Senior Basketball Player from Southwest PAL. During the program, guests heard from speakers such as Mayor Michael Nutter and Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey and listened to remarks from each of the honorees. The Police Athletic League is proud to call each award recipient a friend of PAL.

PAL thanks everyone who made this wonderful evening so special for the honorees and for those in attendance. As always, all proceeds from the event will directly support PAL’s educational, athletic, recreational and cultural programming.

BOMA “Cops Helping Kids Day”

“Cops Helping Kids Day” a Huge Success!
On Friday, April 13, 2012, PAL partnered with the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) for the fourth annual “Cops Helping Kids Day.” This annual event, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars for PAL, allows individuals to make donations of any amount to PAL right in their Center City office buildings.

During this exciting day of fundraising, PAL police officers, staff and volunteers set up tables and displays in the lobbies of Center City high-rises. This year, PAL was represented in twenty-six buildings and was able to connect with thousands of new supporters. Donors were treated to soft pretzels and a plethora of information about PAL and its dozens of educational, athletic, recreational and cultural programs that are provided to youth, free of charge.

Lieutenant Bryan Anthony, PAL’s Commanding Officer, was pleased with the fundraising event. “I really enjoy ‘Cops Helping Kids Day’ because it gives us an opportunity to build relationships with a broad base of folks who want to learn more about PAL and our mission. Through this event, people are able to talk to our PAL officers and staff and hear the great things we’re doing for Philadelphia’s youngsters day after day. In fact, some of the people who visited our tables knew firsthand about PAL and its youth programs – there were numerous individuals who identified themselves as former PAL kids and they were happy to connect with an organization they once loved to participate in. It’s really great to see that people are willing to give back and support our children and teens.”

This event is a grassroots effort to spread awareness of PAL’s mission and youth development programs as well as raise funds to support PAL’s wide array of activities. It has become a unique, enjoyable day for all involved and has raised a significant amount of money for Philadelphia’s youth. PAL thanks BOMA and everyone who helped make “Cops Helping Kids Day” a huge success!

PAL College and Alternatives Fair

PAL’s “What to Do After High School and How to Pay for it” Fair
PAL high school seniors, juniors, sophomores and their parents from all over Philadelphia came together on March 29th at Harrowgate PAL for a panel discussion about what to do after high school and how to pay for it. Representatives from the Community College of Philadelphia, PhillyGoes2College, Temple University and AmeriCorps spoke to the students about the options and possibilities available to them after they graduate.

Michael Harry, from the Office of Admissions at the Community College of Philadelphia informed students of the admission process and ways to start narrowing down the options for college and trade school now.

Jim Skene from Temple University’s Office of Student Financial Services spoke to the students and parents about the two most important acronyms when paying for higher education: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency). Mr. Skene inspired students to search and apply for as many scholarships as possible.

Edisa Rodriguez from PhillyGoes2College addressed the additional opportunities that colleges and universities have to offer, such as athletics and organized clubs. She also explained the importance of choosing a major, and reminded students to keep their eye on the prize- graduating and getting a diploma.

Additionally, students were invited to explore the possibility of dedicating a year to service through various AmeriCorps programs.

Informational brochures from 45 area schools, AmeriCorps programs and military branches were available to all attendees. Students also received SAT Prep Study Guide books, graphing calculators and 2012 College Board Handbooks. PAL thanks all presenters for providing priceless knowledge to the soon-to-be PAL graduates!

PAL Night at the Sixers 2012

PAL Night at the Sixers- Another Slam Dunk!
PAL celebrated the 26th anniversary of PAL Night at the Sixers on March 27th, 2012. Local radio and television personalities gathered at the Wells Fargo Center to participate in a halftime Celebrity Basketball Game with hoopsters from the PAL Girls Citywide Basketball Program and Commissioner’s Club members, as the Sixers went on to defeat the Cavaliers.

The event was sponsored by the H. Chase and Ana Maria Lenfest Foundation and NECA, Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter / IBEW Local 98. Thanks to their continued support, PAL Night has raised more than $250,000 since the event began 26 years ago.

In addition to the halftime festivities, in a pre-game ceremony, PAL honored 76ers forward Thaddeus Young for his tremendous community efforts and his outstanding support of the Police Athletic League. Other highlights included a Commissioner’s Club and Sponsors reception, an on-court check presentation with PAL event sponsors and a festive evening for all!

Best Buy and Positive Images

Best Buy WOLF Pack at Rizzo Positive Images
Representatives from Best Buy’s Women’s Leadership Forum (WOLF) came to Rizzo PAL’s Positive Images Girls Mentoring meeting on Monday, March 19th. Melody Hollander, Linda Thomas, Lisa Tyson and Diana Santos shared their personal experiences about how they achieved prominent positions in a male-dominated company and industry.

The women inspired the young ladies to taking part in conversations and have their voice heard by “always sitting at the table.” Melody, Linda, Lisa and Diana followed this advice and continue to benefit greatly. They led a networking exercise with Positive Images participants in which each person wrote a list of both short and long-term goals and brainstormed people in their lives who can help achieve them.

PAL Board Member and Best Buy District Manager, Marc Michetti, provided advice to the young ladies on the importance of mentors. The girls’ networks grew by at least five valuable contacts last night, as each WOLF representative and Mr. Michetti left an open invitation for all PAL participants to get in touch with them any time.

A special thanks to Melody, Linda, Lisa, Diana, and Marc Michetti for providing such indispensable information to Rizzo PAL Positive Images!

Cozen Prom Boutique 2012

PAL Ladies Dazzle at the Cozen Prom Boutique

Nancy Roundbehler and Linda Wert with Officer Jennings and a girl from Cozen PAL.

Months of relentless dress and accessory collecting paid off for 160 young ladies from sixteen PAL centers last Thursday night. PAL supporters from Cozen O’Connor, Archbishop Carroll High School, Independence Blue Cross and several other individual donors were able to collect an astounding 983 dresses for this year’s Cozen Prom Boutique!

Getting all made up!

Rizzo PAL alumna, Nancy Rounbehler of Cozen O’Connor, founded the Cozen Prom Boutique four years ago after being asked by a PAL mother to help her daughter find a prom dress. She immediately saw an opportunity to help many girls in the same situation. Nancy partnered with her daughter, Gabrielle, Tanya Brown from Cozen O’Connor and Linda Wert from Archbishop Carroll High School to collect formal and semi-formal wear and create a shopping experience for the young ladies at PAL. The event has grown annually and will even extend to young men next year (get your suits ready)!

IBC Blue Crew Volunteers with Sheila Hess and Lt. Anthony

Volunteers from Archbishop Carroll, Cozen O’Connor, WGirls, Independence Blue Cross and City Year helped the young ladies find a beautiful dress, accessory and pair of shoes for their special night. Makeup artists from Blue Mercury taught the girls how to apply makeup that compliments their dress selection. Each PAL participant received a new makeup and brush kit to bring home.

Special thanks to Nancy, Linda, Tanya and PAL’s committed volunteers for another successful year at the Cozen Prom Boutique!

PAL 24 Math Challenge 2012

24 Math Challenge + PAL x Stradley Ronon = Huge Success

P/O Little with players from Point Breeze PAL

More than 200 youth from all twenty-six PAL centers added, subtracted, divided and multiplied their way to twenty-four in PAL’s annual Stradley Ronon 24 Math Challenge last week. Two regional competitions were held to determine the top twelve players in each grade division- fifth through eighth. The final competition was held at Harrowgate PAL on Wednesday night.

First, second, third and fourth place winners received a plaque and a special gift. All participants in the final competition earned a medal for their stellar performance throughout the Challenge. Congratulations to first place winners Treasure from Steel PAL (5th grade), Forrest from Steel PAL (6th grade), Christina from Steel PAL (7th grade) and Andrew from Point Breeze PAL (8th grade).

Mark Dorval with Jonisha from Bluford PAL

Participants have been practicing the game at their PAL centers for months leading up to this vigorous, head-to-head battle. 24 Math is used as a tool to make learning fun in PAL centers and classrooms around Philadelphia. In the end, playing the game helps youngsters become better at mental math and more confident in their abilities as a student: a great success for all.

PAL thanks Board Member Mark Dorval and Stradley Ronon, and volunteers from Drexel University’s Earle Mack School of Law.