Eight hundred grownup “PAL kids” had a grand time at PAL’s Alumni Reunion last November 29th at New York’s famous Copacabana. The room was spacious, the food was excellent and the speeches were brief, leaving plenty of time for fellowship and fun.
Alumn Dominic Carter, NY1 news reporter, emceed the evening. Special guests given service awards included Robert Morgenthau, Raymond Kelly, Robert McGuire, Richard Condon and Senator Charles Schumer.

Alumn Constancia Hayes, Head Track & Field Coach at Delaware State University, organized a reunion of 22 women who developed their track and field skills as young girls at PAL many years ago. There were other special reunions happening, especially among famous boxers.

There was dancing to the music of Alumn Kenny Mills and his orchestra and performances by a PAL song and dance troupe from our South Jamaica Center. Many Alumni videotaped their reminiscences about PAL in 3 minute sessions. Others gladly wrote checks for $35 and became charter members of the PAL Alumni Association.

All those attending applauded this “rare opportunity to get reacquainted with old PAL childhood friends.” Everyone universally enjoyed the good feelings and positive energy generated by this very special evening. “Let’s do it again!”

Alumni Association Mission Statement

Celebrate the PAL child you were,
the PAL adult you are, the PAL friends
you made along the way.

The Alumni Association seeks to enrich the lives of Alumni by providing continuity between generations and presenting PAL children with adult role models whose lives once were similar to their own.

The Alumni Association organizes opportunities for staying in touch with the organization and Alumni, recognizes the achievements of PAL Alumni, and helps create an historical archive of PAL stories, documents and photographs.

The Alumni Association performs a multitude of essential volunteering, mentoring and fundraising tasks through local chapters at PAL Centers and headquarters.

The Alumni Association represents to the public and press an important new aspect of PAL that is positive, productive and beneficial to our children and their families.

Alumni Membership Drive

All grownup PAL kids can share in the Alumni experience and be part of all our events by joining today for an annual membership fee of $35. You will receive an Alumni pin, regular newsletters, solicitations and invitations to all PAL events.

Most of all, you will have the satisfaction of giving back to PAL and today’s children some of what you received from PAL as a child.

We need your advice and experience in Association meetings. We need your help with the tasks we have set for ourselves: volunteering, fundraising, mentoring and archiving. Please let us hear from you by contacting Mary Jane Rambo at 212-477-9450, ext. 391 or mrambo@palnyc.org

Alumni Association Co-Chairs
Mary Sobers, Aaron Schechter, Nikos Spanakos, Peter Spanakos

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