Kids ‘PAL’ around

It was two days of “PAL”ling around for area kids.
On March 30, 500 Police Athletic League (PAL) youngsters from throughout New York City participated in a fun-filled day of games and laughter at PAL’s annual Games Day event at PAL’s Edward Byrne Center in South Jamaica.
Champions from PAL’s Far Rockaway Beacon, PAL’s Redfern Center, P.S. 214 and PAL’s Edward Byrne Center competed within age groups against their peers from throughout the five boroughs. The young people, ages six to 18, went for the gold in double dutch jump rope, basketball, Connect Four, Brain Quest, Mancala, pool, the PAL Fitness Challenge, Sorry, Candyland, Memory and Word Scramble.
he next day, over 400 PAL youngsters took to the stage in a citywide tournament for a fun-filled day of dance, cheerleading and stepping at PAL’s annual Showstoppers Day event.
Queens champions, ages six to 14, competed within age groups in each category while paying tribute to the Jackson family with routines set to hits such as “Stop Pressuring Me,” “Beat It” and “The Earth Song.”
These annual PAL events are designed to foster a better understanding and create relationships by bringing together boys and girls of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. PAL encourages youngsters to develop athletic and educational skills, and the sportsmanship qualities of discipline, fair play and healthy competition.
New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and largest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served New York City’s young people for 96 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to over 56,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, visit www.palnyc.org.