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
