Rays Foundation awards PAL Tampa $5000 grant

PAL Receives New Gear and Facility

By Janelle McGregor

Former NHL player Brian Bradley taught a group of 65 kids how to use their new street hockey sticks and balls.

A game of street hockey anyone?

Thanks to the Tampa Bay Lightning the kids at the Police Athletic League (PAL) are ready to take on an off-ice challenge. The professional hockey team donated two complete sets of street hockey equipment to the league as part of its “Street Lightning” community outreach initiative. Former Lightning player Brian Bradley spent an hour coaching the kids on how to use their new gear. He also shared his life experiences as a pro athlete with the kids and encouraged them to stay in school.

A month earlier, PAL youth had yet another celebration when the league unveiled its new state of the art sports complex. The three-year project included two upgraded youth soccer fields, a football field and a modernized concession stand equipped with a full kitchen. The new expansion allows PAL mentors to give more kids the opportunity to learn how good sportsmanship and academics can keep them out of trouble on and off the field. The league offers organized programs year-round and will start accepting applications for its upcoming summer camp in April 2010. For more information on the programs at PAL contact (813) 876-9363.

It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that I let you know that Officer “Coach” Randy Davis passed away at approximately 5:30 pm Monday, January 4th. He died at his home surrounded by friends and family.

Coach Randy worked several summers at PAL and last summer he was assigned full time to our program. Coach Randy in a very short time made a major impact within PAL and quickly became loved and respected by all. There wasn’t a week that passed that he didn’t express how luckily he was to be assigned to PAL. Coach Randy had fallen in love with the PAL Program and the children we serve.

Coach Randy may have passed on; but his accomplishments, devotion, love of children and memory will always be present at PAL.

Congratulations! calendar winners:
Ruth Stephenson 6/19/09, Lydia Pizzaro 3/2/09 and Norm Faust 7/22/09

P.A.L. makes improvements to help kids

watch video and read article on myFOX Tampa Bay.

Tampa Police Athletic League re-dedicates its new athletic fields to its founder

PAL mentioned in Meals On Wheels annual report 2008-9.

View Report

Gov. Christ thanks PAL for work with youth and community.

View Letter

The St. Pete Times featured PAL kids in Kids Practice the Art of Diplomacy.

View Article

The Tampa Tribune featured an article about the Police Athletic League of Tampa on June 9, 2005. The article, "Stranger Danger", praised PAL for their outstanding children safety awareness programs ... the article also noted that PAL had record breaking attendance for the summer program. The St. Pete Times, as well as several local television stations, also attended the demonstrations at the PAL campus ... their reports were all very complementary regarding the activities at PAL.

The City of Tampa Police Department's Chief of Police Steve Hogue presented the Police Athletic League of Tampa with a "Unit Citation" on August 8, 2005. This citation was awarded to the staff for their outstanding achievements during the past year. PAL has added over forty new programs, including gymnastics, drama, and safety awareness programs ... and the list goes on! Also, twenty new partnerships were formed with local agencies ... these partnerships enable PAL to provide a variety of unique programs that are not available at any other site in Tampa.