Children take home free bicycles at PAL rodeo.
100 children take home free bicycles at PAL rodeo
Free, free and free was the theme of the day during the Pottstown Police Athletic League (PAL) bike rodeo Saturday at Lincoln Elementary School.
After completing several healthy challenges, about 100 children from the area took home free brand new Huffy bicycles. PAL is a part of a local wellness initiative called Strong at Heart which made it possible for the kids to get the bikes. Area organizations, schools and churches came together for youth outreach and to promote health in Pottstown.
“It’s all about our heart for the community and our heart for the children,” said Thunder Outreach Chaplain Mark Malizzi, when he first introduced the initiative to the community in February.
The vision of the initiative came to pass when children were able to ride away with new bikes at Saturday’s rodeo. But before children rode into the sunset, they had to complete a few tasks in order to earn the bike. First they wrote an essay about what it means to be strong at heart. Next, they completed a fun run and obstacle course. Last, they attended a bike safety demonstration given by Pottstown police officers.
“We like to see that connection for the community to see PAL and the police working together,” said PAL Executive Director Holly Kennedy.
Kennedy said she wants residents to know that the police are here to help. This was the first time PAL has ever done a bike rodeo and it was created this year so the community could enjoy a free public event. The bikes weren’t the only thing free on Saturday. There was also free food, free books from the Federation of Pottstown Teachers and free shoes. The nonprofit charity “In Ian’s Boots” gave out tennis shoes on Saturday to go along with bikes.
Kennedy said the community event was also a way for people to learn more about PAL and the programs they offer. PAL youth sports include 10 and under baseball, cheerleading, football and dek hockey. Kennedy said PAL isn’t just an organization for children but that they encourage the whole family to be involved. PAL will have a Community Day event July 16 at their sports complex, located at 1455 Chestnut Grove Road. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The focus is really community. We want the community to come together,” Kennedy said speaking of PAL and Saturday’s rodeo.
To learn more about PAL, visit their website at www. pottstownpal.org. To learn more about the Strong at Heart initiative, visit the website at SAHPottstown. com.