PAL Receives Rotary Grant
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The Hazleton Rotary Club recently awarded a $2,000.00 Community Service Grant to PAL, the Hazleton Police Athletic League. L to R: Rotary Projects Chairman Tom Hood, Rotary Vice President Toni Frumkin, PAL President William Drumheller, and Rotary President Ron AvellinoThe Rotary Club of Hazleton recently donated $2,000.00 to PAL, the Hazleton Police Athletic League, to help with its 2015-2016, 59th year of existence. The money was allocated through a Rotary Club 2015-16 Community Grant Program. These “Service above Self” community grants are intended to benefit organizations and agencies in communities in the Greater Hazleton Area.
PAL provides after school basketball for boys and girls, ages 7 to 15. Monday thru Friday, 6:00PM-9:00PM. There are currently two divisions for boys and one for girls. Each participant practices one day a week and plays one day a week.
Since its inception, PAL has been held at various Hazleton Area schools, The Jewish Community Center and currently, PAL basketball takes place at The Hazleton Area Community Center and Arthur Street School.
PAL doesn’t believe in superstars, just the thought that everyone can have a night of fun and year of wholesome recreation, Players learn all about the game in a stress free atmosphere while playing with a modified set of rules, which allows for everyone to play one-quarter each game, no substitutions. While most other leagues are geared toward winning, PAL wants its players to play while having fun, to learn how to play the game and to work as a team. Admission to the games is free and no collections or donations are asked of the attendees.
“Since we started PAL in 1957 we have not asked the City, firms, businesses or civic organizations to sponsors teams or donate funds.” explains William Drumheller, PAL President. “In the past, we had light bulb and candy sales, but currently we are charging a registration fee of $55.00 per child instead. This is the only cost for anyone coming into the league. However, for the first time we were looking at a shortfall and the possibility that PAL could not continue because we could not cover all of the costs involved, mainly insurance and security. We were facing the possibility of having to discontinue the program.”
Drumheller continues, “Now you can see why we are so grateful to the Hazleton Rotary Club. Without their help, we would have had to close down the PAL program after 59 years in existence. Thousands of area youngsters have participated in PAL activities down through the years and it would be very, very sad to have to discontinue this program after all this time. At least, we can now run the program for another year”.
“PAL is an all-volunteer organization that has helped area youngsters for so many years. We couldn’t see it fall on the wayside because it wasn’t getting the help it needed from the community it has served for so long”. explains Ron Avellino, Rotary President. “Our club members work hard on various fundraisers to help area organizations, such as PAL, help others. It would have been a shame to see this organization fold after 59 years of existence.”
“Mr. Drumheller recently spoke to the Rotary Club about the PAL program and it was easy to see that his 50 year dedication to PAL has been a labor of love. You couldn’t help but understand that the PAL motto “It is Better to Build Boys and Girls Than to Mend Men & Women” is one he believes in and follows. The Hazleton Rotary Club is pleased to help him and his fellow volunteers continue this dedication to area youngsters” says Project Chair Tom Hood.
Since its inception, PAL has been held at various Hazleton Area schools, The Jewish Community Center and currently, PAL basketball takes place at The Hazleton Area Community Center and Arthur Street School.
PAL doesn’t believe in superstars, just the thought that everyone can have a night of fun and year of wholesome recreation, Players learn all about the game in a stress free atmosphere while playing with a modified set of rules, which allows for everyone to play one-quarter each game, no substitutions. While most other leagues are geared toward winning, PAL wants its players to play while having fun, to learn how to play the game and to work as a team. Admission to the games is free and no collections or donations are asked of the attendees.
“Since we started PAL in 1957 we have not asked the City, firms, businesses or civic organizations to sponsors teams or donate funds.” explains William Drumheller, PAL President. “In the past, we had light bulb and candy sales, but currently we are charging a registration fee of $55.00 per child instead. This is the only cost for anyone coming into the league. However, for the first time we were looking at a shortfall and the possibility that PAL could not continue because we could not cover all of the costs involved, mainly insurance and security. We were facing the possibility of having to discontinue the program.”
Drumheller continues, “Now you can see why we are so grateful to the Hazleton Rotary Club. Without their help, we would have had to close down the PAL program after 59 years in existence. Thousands of area youngsters have participated in PAL activities down through the years and it would be very, very sad to have to discontinue this program after all this time. At least, we can now run the program for another year”.
“PAL is an all-volunteer organization that has helped area youngsters for so many years. We couldn’t see it fall on the wayside because it wasn’t getting the help it needed from the community it has served for so long”. explains Ron Avellino, Rotary President. “Our club members work hard on various fundraisers to help area organizations, such as PAL, help others. It would have been a shame to see this organization fold after 59 years of existence.”
“Mr. Drumheller recently spoke to the Rotary Club about the PAL program and it was easy to see that his 50 year dedication to PAL has been a labor of love. You couldn’t help but understand that the PAL motto “It is Better to Build Boys and Girls Than to Mend Men & Women” is one he believes in and follows. The Hazleton Rotary Club is pleased to help him and his fellow volunteers continue this dedication to area youngsters” says Project Chair Tom Hood.