By Rob Novit
When Aiken Public Safety's Police Athletic League completed its first season in 2006, the children received T-shirts and medals, said LaLita Ashley, the department's coordinator for the Children, Youth and Family program.
"I ran into one of the kids the next day," Ashley, a retired Public Safety captain, told Aiken Rotary Club members Monday. "He was still wearing his T-shirt and medal."
That's why PAL was established, Ashley said - not only for athletics opportunities, but to build on life skills and self-esteem for kids who may not have access to those opportunities.
Over the past six years, more than 600 kids through age 12 or 13 have participated in the program.
PAL started out with football, with girls joining the program as cheerleaders. The organization now focuses as well on co-ed participation in basketball and track and field.
The Aiken-based program has gotten funding through grants, such as the national PAL program and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants. The Byrne allocations were established through the U.S. Justice Department about 20 years ago.
Ironically, Ashley said, as crime rates have dropped in Aiken, the grant is no longer available.
As a result, a 5K walk/run event will be held at Citizens Park Friday night as a fundraiser. Donations can also sent directly to Aiken Public Safety.
Ashley's commitment to children is not new, said retired Aiken County solicitor Barbara Morgan at the Rotary meeting. Social service agencies weren't as entrenched in the community as they are now.
"LaLita was a trailblazer, giving a voice to children who didn't have an advocate," Morgan said.
Ashley credits Public Safety Lt. Mark Farmer, now retired, with discovering the need for a PAL-type program. Farmer had attended a youth league football game in 2005 and was surprised when a boy watching the game said his mother didn't have the money so he could play. Farmer would say at the time how surprised he was, that so many parents are hindered by low incomes and transportation issues.
PAL was an immediate success the following year, Ashley said.
The activities reduced the children's idle time, and parents were delighted that the kids would do their homework, practice with the PAL program, go home and eat and go to bed.
"We look for kids with behavior issues and low academics and income, but all children are accepted," Ashley said. "We're instilling self-discipline and self-esteem. Some of our officers coach with PAL, and that is developing a better relationships between the kids and officer."
She cited many success stories, with some of the earlier participants now in college and succeeding in life. Those who are now young teenagers return to serve as mentors.
"PAL is not just sports," Ashley reiterated. "It's about giving children a chance to be normal, doing the things that other kids do. It's great to see their parents at their games and yelling for them."
Want to participate?
• What: The PAL Blue Night 5K Run/Walk fundraiser.
• When and Where: The event will be held at Citizens Park Friday. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. A one-mile fun run starts at 7 p.m., followed by the run and walk events at 7:30 p.m.
• Proceeds: They will go the Aiken Department of Public Safety's Police Athletic League, which provides sports and life skills for young children in need.
• Tickets: Pre-registration is closed, but people can still purchase tickets on the day of the event. They are $30 for the 5K run or walk and $15 for the fun run.
• Additional donations: People can send them to ADPS PAL, P.O. Box 1608, Aiken, S.C. 29802.
• Information: For more information, call LaLita Ashley at 642-7686.![]()
When Aiken Public Safety's Police Athletic League completed its first season in 2006, the children received T-shirts and medals, said LaLita Ashley, the department's coordinator for the Children, Youth and Family program.
"I ran into one of the kids the next day," Ashley, a retired Public Safety captain, told Aiken Rotary Club members Monday. "He was still wearing his T-shirt and medal."
That's why PAL was established, Ashley said - not only for athletics opportunities, but to build on life skills and self-esteem for kids who may not have access to those opportunities.
Over the past six years, more than 600 kids through age 12 or 13 have participated in the program.
PAL started out with football, with girls joining the program as cheerleaders. The organization now focuses as well on co-ed participation in basketball and track and field.
The Aiken-based program has gotten funding through grants, such as the national PAL program and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants. The Byrne allocations were established through the U.S. Justice Department about 20 years ago.
Ironically, Ashley said, as crime rates have dropped in Aiken, the grant is no longer available.
As a result, a 5K walk/run event will be held at Citizens Park Friday night as a fundraiser. Donations can also sent directly to Aiken Public Safety.
Ashley's commitment to children is not new, said retired Aiken County solicitor Barbara Morgan at the Rotary meeting. Social service agencies weren't as entrenched in the community as they are now.
"LaLita was a trailblazer, giving a voice to children who didn't have an advocate," Morgan said.
Ashley credits Public Safety Lt. Mark Farmer, now retired, with discovering the need for a PAL-type program. Farmer had attended a youth league football game in 2005 and was surprised when a boy watching the game said his mother didn't have the money so he could play. Farmer would say at the time how surprised he was, that so many parents are hindered by low incomes and transportation issues.
PAL was an immediate success the following year, Ashley said.
The activities reduced the children's idle time, and parents were delighted that the kids would do their homework, practice with the PAL program, go home and eat and go to bed.
"We look for kids with behavior issues and low academics and income, but all children are accepted," Ashley said. "We're instilling self-discipline and self-esteem. Some of our officers coach with PAL, and that is developing a better relationships between the kids and officer."
She cited many success stories, with some of the earlier participants now in college and succeeding in life. Those who are now young teenagers return to serve as mentors.
"PAL is not just sports," Ashley reiterated. "It's about giving children a chance to be normal, doing the things that other kids do. It's great to see their parents at their games and yelling for them."
Want to participate?
• What: The PAL Blue Night 5K Run/Walk fundraiser.
• When and Where: The event will be held at Citizens Park Friday. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. A one-mile fun run starts at 7 p.m., followed by the run and walk events at 7:30 p.m.
• Proceeds: They will go the Aiken Department of Public Safety's Police Athletic League, which provides sports and life skills for young children in need.
• Tickets: Pre-registration is closed, but people can still purchase tickets on the day of the event. They are $30 for the 5K run or walk and $15 for the fun run.
• Additional donations: People can send them to ADPS PAL, P.O. Box 1608, Aiken, S.C. 29802.
• Information: For more information, call LaLita Ashley at 642-7686.