LPD - PAL
Police Athletic League
In order to encourage children to broaden their horizons, to raise personal
expectations, to create enthusiasm through success and to develop leadership
potential, the La Vergne Police Department has organized a Police Athletic
League for boys and girls 7 to 17 years of age.
League organizers offer basketball, radKids, homework help, drama, music,
chess club and more to area students. In addition, tutoring, mentoring and
counseling is available to the children.
According to League Executive Director Gerry Howse, LPD’s PAL has four goals:
- To provide a positive and exciting experience for boys and girls
7 to 17 years of age.
- To guide youngsters in making responsible decisions in life by
furnishing a positive role model whose attitudes and behavior
can be emulated.
- To foster communications and understanding between today’s youth
and the police by encouraging friendship among them.
- To reduce the incidence of juvenile crime, substance abuse and gang
violence.
radKids
To do that, the PAL program teaches radKids to their young members.
The leading educator in realistic and empowering personal safety
education for both children and parents, radKIDS’ mission is to
educate children with the tools, knowledge and power to recognize
and avoid danger as well as to resist and protect themselves from
physical abuse.
radKids was founded by a dedicated alliance of educators, law
enforcement professionals, safety experts and concerned parents.
radKids is a comprehensive foundational safety education program for
children aged 5-11. radKids focuses on seven core areas:
- Home Safety
- School Safety
- Out-and-About Safety
- Vehicle Safety
- Stranger Tricks (including Physical Defense against Abduction)
- Personal Safety (including Good, Bad, and Uncomfortable Touch)
- Self-Realization of Personal Power
radKids is brought to children and parents by the training and
development of nationally certified instructors drawn from their own
communities. By empowering a community with certified local instructors,
the radKIDS Personal Empowerment Safety Education package is not just a
program but a true gift to the community.
"We believe that kids want to be helped and our PAL wants to
help kids," Howse said. "We encourage La Vergne parents to
let their children be a part of PAL. They’ll be making a meaningful
investment in their future and it will allow all of us to work together
as a community."
Since the LPD PAL is self-funded and relies on volunteer's effort,
assistance from citizens is also requested, according to Howse.
"Assistance to PAL takes many forms," he said. "We urge
the public to contribute to the creation of successful young lives in
any way they can."
Forms of assistance include: Funding through corporate donations and
individual gifts, alerting the program about potential grant sources,
offering to arrange a field trip for the students, donating or funding
sports equipment and uniforms, donating or funding tickets to special
events and volunteering time and talents to the organization and its
children.
Parents and guardians may call Howse at (615) 793-7744, (615) 287-8730
or e-mail him at pal@lavergne.org, sign-up
online for more information.
Every child needs a P.A.L.
The La Vergne PAL has received awards for its programs and activities:
- Greater Nashville Regional Council Excellence in Policing Award
- Mayor's Cup Award (twice)
Your tax-deductible donation or corporate sponsorship will fund the
continuance and growth of programs such as:
- Anger Management/Conflict Resolution class
- Chess Club
- Community/Elderly Assistance
- Computer Lab
- Cultural Arts and Drama Group
- Field Trips
- Homework Help and Training
- Family Bowling League
- Exercise and Sports Programs
- Summer Camp - 2010 Summer Program
- radKids Self Defense/Self Empowerment Certification
Our major fundraisers each year include:
- Golf Tournament - 2009 Flyer
- Car Washes
- Bake Sales
- Concession Stand at Ball Park
- Breakfast
- Chili Supper
Check out our flyers,
2009 PAL Flyer
2010 PAL Flyer
2010 RadKids Flyer
Link to the National Police Athletic League
2009 PAL Golf Tournament
Below are some pictures from the 2009 PAL Golf Tournament. We want to Thank every
who participated.
First Place: FOP (Fraternal Order of Police)
Second Place C&C Putters
Third place: PAL team
Longest Drive: LD Stewart
Closest to the Pen: D Collier and Greg Renfro
Putting Contest: Boots Scott
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