Buffalo, New York –The Police Athletic League of Buffalo (PAL) and the PAL Board of Directors, Chaired by Mayor Byron W. Brown, today launched the PAL Giving Campaign, a Capital Campaign that will help raise proceeds during the holiday season for the purchase of a second PAL Van. Donations to the PAL Giving Campaign can be made online by visiting BUFFALOPAL.COM/FUNDRAISING between now through the New Year!
Mayor Brown stated, “As we continue to build an inclusive and equitable city of opportunity, It is important that we provide PAL sports and educational programming that can be easily accessed by youth in their neighborhood schools, parks, and community centers. PAL youth enrichment programs are especially instrumental in teaching our youngest citizens about the importance of living healthy lives while encouraging them to pursue their academic and athletic goals. Today and throughout the holiday season, I am asking the City of Good Neighbors to donate to the PAL Giving Campaign and help PAL achieve the goal of purchasing a much-needed van. I’m pleased to say that on National Philanthropy Day, we are already off to a great start, thanks to the generosity of The Rotary Club of Buffalo and West Herr.”
Proceeds raised during the campaign will help the Police Athletic League of Buffalo purchase an additional PAL Van to transport a growing number of youth to and from PAL programs, as well as the year-round transport of essential sporting equipment, program apparel, athletic footwear, bike helmets, educational materials, bicycles, cars seats, meal kits for PAL Cooking Classes, snacks, beverages and much more, used to provide free (or very low cost) youth enrichment programs, essential goods, and services to over 10,000 students in grades K-12 who reside in the City of Buffalo.
Currently, PAL has only one van, The PAL Friendship Van, obtained in 2014. Over the last 7 years, PAL programs and PAL youth participation has grown significantly to the point where today PAL now has to rent buses to transport PAL youth to-and-from programs and field trips! The additional Van will be used to help PAL serve even more youth with a broad variety of programs each season! It will also enable PAL to operate weekly programs in diverse locations throughout the City of Buffalo that are often challenging to hold on the same date and time. By adding a second Van, PAL will succeed in being able to operate diverse and unique programs on the same day and same time to include the PAL PlayStreets Outdoor Sports & Fitness program and Bike Helmet Giveaway events that usually take place at healthcare events, festivals, and Community Day events that are held in partnership with Council Members in their neighborhood districts and the Buffalo Police Department.
PAL Executive Director Nekia Kemp stated, “I am elated to commence this vital Capital Campaign for the purchase of a new Van that will allow Buffalo PAL to achieve the Mission of serving thousands of youth annually with quality sports, educational, and recreation programs that take place at safe indoor and outdoor recreation facilities with nurturing mentors in partnership with the Buffalo Police Department. The need to grow and expand PAL youth enrichment programs in our city is greater than ever. The purchase of a new Van will allow our organization to continue to serve even more youth constituents and improve how we deliver year-round programs, goods, and services.”
Today’s PAL Giving campaign kickoff coincides with National Philanthropy Day, celebrated annually on November 15th, to highlight the importance of working together for the common good, especially now when the need to nurture the physical, social and emotional needs of our youth is greater than ever while we continue to recover from the COVID-19 global health pandemic. Mayor Brown issued a challenge today to the Buffalo area community to help raise $40,000 by December 31, 2021 when the City of Buffalo hosts the 34th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and welcomes thousands of citizens into the heart of Downtown Buffalo to ring in 2022 at the Electric Tower in Roosevelt Plaza.
PAL currently operates sports clinics, athletic leagues, and physical fitness programs for boys and girls (ages 5-18). During the holiday season and winter months, PAL will provide ongoing opportunities for youth to enjoy a variety of sports programs, in addition to offering free after school literacy programs, homework assistance, cooking classes with nutritious weekly meal kits, ‘Learn to Ice Skate’ programming, Skiing & Snowboarding lessons at Kissing Bridge, indoor Swimming, and Lifeguard Certification Courses. The acquisition of a new PAL Van will also be critical in allowing PAL Staff members to deliver sporting equipment kits, athletic apparel, bicycle helmets, car seats, healthy meal kits, snacks, books, educational supplies, warm clothing, and toys to thousands of youth throughout the year, as well as the holiday season. PAL will also be able to provide quality Summer Camp programs and field trips that take place between June through August.
Mayor Brown took a moment today to thank West Herr for its support in helping PAL secure the purchase of a van in the months to come, as well as members of The Rotary Club of Buffalo who donated $5,000 to launch PAL’s Capital Campaign for a new PAL Van. Members of The Rotary Club of Buffalo also stated they are proud to carry on the tradition of providing financial support to worthy organizations, like PAL, whose programs touch the lives of City youth in meaningful ways. The Rotary encourages like minded individuals and organizations to follow their example and support this important initiative.
As a thank you for making a monetary contribution to the PAL Giving Campaign, every donor who gives $50.00 or greater will receive a 2022 PAL Decal for their Vehicle along with an iconic PAL T-Shirt accompanied by a Thank you letter acknowledging their tax-deductible donation.
To make a donation today to the PAL Giving Campaign, please visit: BUFFALOPAL.COM/FUNDRAISING
If you would like to make a donation by check, please make your check payable to Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc. and mail it to:
Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc.
65 Niagara Square, 21st Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202