The Boys & Girls Clubs mission is to inspire and enable young people living in Pinellas County, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.  The Clubs have been serving youth and families in Pinellas County for over forty five years. 

Clearwater Boys & Girls Clubs are located at Jack Russell Stadium (North Greenwood), Sabal Walk, Wellington and Wood Valley. The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked the B&GCA as No. 1 among youth organizations for the 7th consecutive year. Forbes, Fortune, Money, Newsweek and the US News & World Report have ranked B&GCA among the top charitable organizations in America based on cost-effective use of funds.

For additional information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, visit www.bgcsuncoast.org or contact Carla Mattern at (727) 524-2427 or cmattern@bgcsuncoast.org.

The National Police Athletics/Activities Leagues, Inc. exists to prevent juvenile crime and violence by providing civic, athletic, recreational, and educational opportunities and resources to PAL Chapters.  The Motto of the Police Athletic League is:  Youth, Sports, Recreation and Education through Law Enforcement.  Florida has led the way by having the first statewide PAL Association in the United States. 

The mission of the Pinellas Sheriff’s Police Athletic League (PAL) is to offer the youth of Pinellas County alternatives to violence, gang involvement, and substance abuse. This mission is accomplished through the provision of after school care, baseball, basketball, boxing, flag football, golf, ice hockey, night programming, soccer, step team, special events, summer camp, tennis, and youth leadership.  Our education, recreation, community service and sports programs serve as the foundation for the development of leadership skills, good citizenship and good sportsmanship.  These activities also introduce opportunity, motivation and direction for the children. 

The Pinellas Sheriff's PAL serves all interested children although the target population is at-risk youth from low-income to poverty level families.  PAL offers recreation, sports and education through law enforcement involvement.  The program goal is to keep reaching out to as many children as possible so they may have the opportunity to have fun, grow, and learn from every program.  By using athletic and education based programs during after school and weekend hours, deputies working with youth have decreased the amount of free time youth have available for negative activities.

Pinellas County deputy sheriffs are very active as event coordinators, coaches and sports camp counselors.  These deputies value their time with PAL youngsters and do their best to provide caring leadership and a positive experience with law enforcement for many children who are at-risk.  The Pinellas County PAL began in 2001.  Since then, PAL programs have grown countywide and have served several thousand children.  Generous business partners and other supporters have all contributed to the success of this program in Pinellas County.  Pinellas County PAL is a volunteer-driven organization and depends in large part on support from the private sector through donations.

The Pinellas Sheriff’s PAL is an active chapter of the State of Florida Association of Police Athletic Leagues (SFAPAL).  SFAPAL has 52 member cities and growing.  Police departments and Sheriff's offices realize the importance of prevention in today's society.  Since the first PAL was founded in 1914 law enforcement officers have contributed millions of hours to America's youth.

PAL is a youth crime prevention program that utilizes educational, athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth. It is based on the conviction that young people - if they are reached early enough - can develop strong positive attitudes towards police officers in their journey through life toward the goal of maturity and good citizenship.

The PAL program brings youth under the supervision and positive influence of a law enforcement agency and expands public awareness about the role of a police officer in the local community and reinforces responsible values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents.

Studies have shown that if a young person respects a police officer on the ball field, gym or classroom, the youth will likely come to respect the laws that police officers enforce. Such respect is beneficial to the youth, the police officer, the neighborhood and the business community.

For additional information about the Pinellas Sheriff's Police Athletic League, please call (727) 528-5779 or visit www.pinellascountypal.com.