PAL partnered with the Whatsoever Community Center to host their “Battle in Northeast” boxing event on May 18. Held at PAL, it was a great opportunity to welcome the community into our facility, show them our space and give them a glimpse of what PAL offers. Thank you to everyone involved in collaborating on this event to make it a fun, exciting and successful day.
The PAL annual clothing giveaway on April 27 was our most successful one yet! We’re extremely grateful for the generosity of the Kansas City community. We had over 350 families just within the first hour and were able to serve so many because of the incredible support and donations we received. All kinds of items filled the gym at KC PAL—from new bikes and toys to suits and school clothes. We even had size 16 shoes from Tony Gonzalez! From everyone at PAL and those who benefited from this event, thank you to all who made this amazing day possible.
On behalf of the 6 young ladies that traveled to Washington, DC this past weekend and the three PAL softball coaches – THANK YOU!!!! Because of your generous donations, we were able to provide each girl with spending money for the trip, as well as some cute souvenirs – a DC t-shirt, pen, key chain, and postcard to send home to their families. Also, a HUGE thank you to Joe LaMothe for donating Royals tickets for our raffle! The girls raised an additional $235 themselves.
Unfortunately, the KC softball team went 0-4 and only the top 4 teams were selected to move into tournament play. They still got to partake in a slew of activities, though! They attended FanFest, Play Ball Park, Futures/Legends Celebrity Game, the MLB Homerun Derby, and they were able to watch the KC baseball team play in the championship game. They also got to meet the legendary Jennie Finch!!! Overall, this was such an absolutely incredible experience for all of us and we couldn’t have made it happen without your help. Check out the images on KCMO Pal Facebook page.Thanks again,
Coach Courtney
Donations benefit Police Athletic League of Kansas City
Kansas City, Mo. – The Police Athletic League of Kansas City is adding a competitive target archery program to its outreach efforts in the city’s urban core, thanks to a donation of equipment by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. The league’s fishing outings received a boost with new gear, too, just in time for spring. MDC and partners made the donations March 16 at the league’s gym and community center, 1801 White Ave.
Kansas City police officers staff the gym, and other police officers and community members volunteer their time to teach sports and values to youngsters. The league’s complex has athletic fields in addition to the gym. Activities include sports such as football, soccer, boxing, basketball. They also teach dance, offer after-school activities and host neighborhood events.
“When we work with kids with sports, it gets kids comfortable being around police officers,” said Officer Shawnee Nix.
Sgt. Skip Cox said the program reaches out to 800 to 1,000 youngsters and their families. Some are helped through tough situations in their neighborhood such as poverty or crime. Officers see people with difficult challenges. But they’ve also had success steering youngsters on to careers or college.
“To get them to feel safe, that’s what we do here,” Cox said.
Now, competitive target archery based on the Missouri National Archery in Schools Program (MoNASP) will be worked into the league’s activities. The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation provided funding for bows, arrows, targets, and a target curtain valued at almost $1,200. An MDC staffer made and donated floor quivers to hold arrows. The simple compound bows are easy to shoot and MoNASP safety protocols allow participants of all ages and physical abilities to be competitive and enjoy success. Target archery is fun and builds self confidence in youngsters.
“This is going to give our kids something more than athletics to do,” Nix said.
Once the youngsters are trained, Nix plans to take them to observe and then shoot with the MoNASP participants at the Nashua Elementary School in the Northland.
The league also received a donation of fishing rods and reels from the Nathan’s Catch Foundation. Making the presentation was Russell Giron of Lee’s Summit. His family started the foundation in honor of his late son who loved the outdoors. Giron was also present at the donation as a board member for the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.
“We’re trying to get kids fishing and in the outdoors,” Giron said. “We have a lot of things in our state that kids can do that are to the advantage for kids.”
MDC staff told officers that MDC offers additional outdoor opportunities such as educational programs at nature centers in the Kansas City area and the Discover Nature — Fishing program.
Also in attendance for the donations were Kansas City Mayor Sly James and Missouri state representatives from the Kansas City area including Ingrid Burnett, Brandon Ellington, and Daron McGee.
For more information about the MoNASP archery program, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZSE. To learn about MDC’s free Discover Nature — Fishing program that teaches families angling skills, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z4y.
From the Missouri Department of Conversation, published March 19, 2018
Photo by Bill Graham, Missouri Department of Conservation
Exploring Roots, just for kids 10-18, is a chance to get outside and be adventurous. Last fall, Officer Antoney Perez took a group rock climbing and caving. Learn more about Exploring Roots and the activities we offer.
