Lakeland’s Police Athletic/Activities League is one of many PAL chapters across the state figuring out how to make up for the loss in state funding the chapters were expecting.

  • Lakeland PAL chapter raising money after funding vetoed
  • Money would have sponsored summer leadership programs for teens
  • Chapter will now raise money through donations, grants

The legislature approved giving PAL chapters $300,000 to help fund their summer leadership programs, but Governor Rick Scott line item vetoed that project in June, among many others, while finalizing the state budget.

“I was kind of let down. You know because we were actually dependent on those funds,” said Tim Abram, the executive director for the Lakeland Police Athletic Activities League.

“Actually the $300,000 that they went after could've went a long ways. There's a lot of kids from blighted communities who need the same opportunities as kids who come from affluent areas."

The Lakeland PAL chapter planned to use a portion of the money to support its teens who go on college tours and visit historical sites during the leadership program. Also, it wanted to enroll more teens into the program, whose low-income families couldn’t normally afford it.

Czerise Villiers, a youth leadership program attendee, said the trip last year to Washington DC was very informative.

“I learned some historical things. I learned about the type of grade point average you need to get into colleges. I learned about the type of majors you can do in colleges,” said Villiers.

"It's really opened my eyes to maybe spread out my options to a college I want to go to.”

Abram said the chapter will now look for other ways to raise money through car washes, donations and grants.

"What we're doing is financial literacy. Understanding how important it is to raise dollars,” said Abram.

"I've learned like basically not to lean on my parents as much. You know get out there and do it yourself,” said Villiers.

With a mission of filling playgrounds, not prisons, Abram said the chapters will push again next year to get the state funding because he said they needed it to reach more children in needy families.  

The NFL's Pouncey Twins and Lakeland PAL are having a free football/cheer camp July 8 from 9 a.m. until noon at Bryant Stadium, located at 1125 N.Florida Ave. in Lakeland, as well as a back to school drive with free haircuts and school supplies the following afternoon at the Lakeland PAL Office. To register for the football/cheer camp, click here.