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Dear Patron:
The Police Athletic League and the Police Benevolent Association, which sponsors the PAL, takes this opportunity to thank you, the citizens of Trenton, for the moral and financial support which you so generously have given us during the past three years.
We take great pride in starting a movement that has proven so successful, particularly in view of the fact that the PAL organization is conducted solely on a voluntary basis with your policemen giving so freely of their spare time, on the off-duty hours.
The purpose of PAL is many fold. Not only do we strive to lessen juvenile delinquency, through our many varied programs, but we feel that our children coming into direct contact with members of the police department, will gain respect for the officer, and therefore for the law itself.
Last year, programs in which 20,000 boys and girls participated, were sponsored by the PAL, among which our annual Easter Party, Christmas Party, Canteens, instructions in Art, Woodwork, and Sewing Classes, baseball, softball, basketball, fishing trips, boat trips, outings, and participation as spectators at baseball games, basketball games, football games, theatre parties, wrestling matches, boxing matches, roller derby, ice show, circus and many other events too numerous to mention.
The children partaking in our programs come from all walks of life and from every section of the community. However we are particularly interested in those children who are not affiliated with any other organizations and live in neighborhoods where there is a lack of group recreation facilities.
We are certain you are interesting in knowing from what sources the PAL receives the names of those children which take part in our activities. Our principal source is the “cop” on the beat who thoroughly knows his post, and the families living in it. From him we receive the names of those children who, due to financial circumstances, might not have an opportunity to improve their moral, physical, educational and cultural needs, unless supplied by the PAL.
We also work very closely with many organizations and agencies who assist us in the selection of children for our programs, such as the City Welfare Bureau, Mt. Carmel Guild, State Board of Child Welfare, Schools, Catholic Charities, Council of Churches, Carver Center, Boys Club and the Boy Scouts of America.
As to our future plans, experience and survey have shown us that some programs are of a greater necessity than others. At the present time along with greater recreational and camping facilities, a broader use of Educational and Cultural programs, outside of school hours, are needed. Toward that end the PAL will direct its activities, to insure you, the citizens of Trenton that a well rounded program, will enable our boys and girls to become good men and women.
Respectfully yours,
PTLR. EDWARD SILVERGLADE,
Director of PAL Activities
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