Police Activities League revived in Sunnyvale
After 20 years off, group regains its nonprofit status
Once home to its own motocross track and offering a football league and archery, the Sunnyvale Police Activities League has awakened from a 20year slumber to bring back some of the diverse programming it once had.
Thanks to unique partnerships in the community, the league has already developed several opportunities for youth to experience horseback riding, boxing and fishing. But the organization didn’t offi cially regain its nonprofit status until October.
Key organizers Dori Fontaine. a public safety specialist, and Detective Jose Ramirez are dreaming big for what’s next.
“There are so many unique activities that haven’t been tapped yet,” said Ramirez. “I grew up with San Jose PAL football ever since I was 7 years old and continued organized sports all the way through college. I can’t remember a time my dad missed a game; that family bonding was the norm to me. To not have a functioning PAL out there, we had to do something about that for Sunnyvale.”
Founded in 1963, the league began with a few officers who wanted to have a football league in town. The programs grew to include a variety of sports until the mid- 1990s when the driving forces behind the league either retired or moved on.
Not unlike how it was founded, offi cers are bringing their own interests to the table to introduce to local youth. For Fontaine, it’s a lifelong passion for horses, whereas for Ramirez, it’s Police Olympicscaliber boxing skills. They hope to pass along the values these sports imbue to local youth.
Fontaine has coordinated Sunnyvale students with mentors for two years to bring them to Dreampower Horsemanship in Gilroy for a 90- minute lesson. Students learn life skills such as responsibility, patience, work ethic, teamwork and communication while learning to handle and ride horses.
“A lot of what we want to do is about bringing opportunities to kids who wouldn’t have access otherwise,” Fontaine said.
Through the Youth and Horses program, Sunnyvale teens get the opportunity to experience eight weeks of horseback riding, lunches and transportation for $ 100, when typically just one riding lesson costs $ 65.
Driven by his passion for the sport and desire to provide positive role models and activities, Ramirez began an afterschool boxing program at Columbia Middle School 10 years ago. Over three years, about 700 youth participated in the Sunnyvale Boxing Club program.
When the school needed its space back, Ramirez spent the next few years searching for a new location. About two years ago in November, the boxing club was invited to be the first program at the Gateway Neighborhood Center, and within six weeks of its opening, more than 400 participants had signed up to give it a try. There are 100 to 125 members who regularly work out there now.
The search continues for new programs to offer through PAL, including golf with First Tee of Silicon Valley, bowling and noncompetitive baseball. Indoor rock climbing and mountain biking might be possibilities as well.
“We’ll keep our eyes and ears open to see and hear what is needed,” Fontaine said.
For more information about the league, email info@ sunnyvalepal. com.