Oakland County Sheriff Police Athletic League names new executive director

The Oakland County Sheriff Police Athletic League (PAL) Program board has named Lauren Fuller its new executive director.

The Sheriff PAL Program, a nonprofit founded by Sheriff Michael Bouchard in 2015, provides Oakland County youth with opportunities and access to athletic, mentoring and enrichment programs including free recreational sports and other extracurriculars for area children ages 5-17. The main goal of the organization’s programs is to promote self-confidence, sportsmanship, teamwork, academic achievement, and encourage youth to become functional, respectful, and engaged members of society.

Fuller said she is incredibly excited about her new role at Sheriff PAL, which will allow her to build upon a culture of impact and success in Pontiac, working strategically with community partners, families and an “amazing team of staff and volunteers to bring the PAL mission to more youth.”

Along with a new executive director, the organization has announced the acquisition of its first vehicle, a 2014 Ford Transit van, thanks to donations from local organizations and individuals. The van was sold by local law enforcement veterans Carolyn Godlewski, a 27-year sheriff’s office dispatcher, and her husband Gary Godlewski, a longtime Bloomfield Township police officer.

The van will be used to help low-income families, without vehicles or means of transportation of their own, be transported to and from PAL activities and events.

Sheriff PAL is a collaboration between the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the Oakland County Health Division, the Healthy Pontiac, We Can! coalition, Oakland University, Woodside Bible Church and Dream Center of Pontiac, the City of Pontiac, and other faith-based and/or community partners.