Nearly 200 children from 19 Police Athletic League (PAL) centers across the city traveled to the Class of 1923 Ice Rink at the University of Pennsylvania for a night of free ice skating, pizza, soft drinks, and ice cream, April 12.
For some children, it was their first experience with ice skating, organizers say.
For more than a decade, Maureen S. Rush, vice president for public safety and superintendent of the Penn Police Department, has served as a board member at PAL, a youth-development organization that offers free educational, recreational, and character-building programs to Philadelphia’s youth aged 6-18.
By providing constructive activities and supervision, especially during after-school and summertime hours, PAL programs help thousands of children in neighborhoods across the city.
“Penn Police and Philadelphia Police officers team up with volunteers to teach PAL kids the fundamentals of ice skating,” says Rush, adding that the annual event reflects the University’s and the Division of Public Safety’s commitment to community engagement.
“We love bringing PAL kids to campus, where they can have a safe, fun, and nurturing experience, but more importantly the kids really enjoy the chance to skate and eat pizza with their favorite PAL officers.”
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