POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE HOSTS ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY FOR QUEENS CHILDREN

On December 12, 2015, the Police Athletic League (PAL), the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization, hosted hundreds of boys and girls, ages six to 10, from all five boroughs at a festive holiday party at the PAL Harlem Center, filled with arts and crafts, carnival games, gifts and holiday treats. Among the group were youngsters from PAL centers throughout Queens.

PAL children took the stage to share in holiday cheer with The Pixie Judy Troupe, and enjoyed special performances by Rosie’s Theater Kids, one of the largest arts-in-education programs serving NYC public school students. Santa Claus came to town, along with Mrs. Claus, to bring all the children gifts. Special guests included Harlem Globetrotter Cheese Chisholm, Clifford the Dog, PAL Honorary President and NYC Police Commissioner William Bratton, PAL Chairman Robert M. Morgenthau, PAL Board member Rikki Klieman, PAL President John B. Osborn, PAL Executive Director Frederick Watts, Artistic & Executive Director of Rosie’s Theater Kids Lori Klinger and Holiday Party Chairs John and Margo Catsimatidis.

Rosie’s Theater Kids (RTKids), since its founding in 2003, has influenced the lives of over 50,000 New York City school students from grades pre-K through 12th grade, many whom have never had the opportunity to see a Broadway show or experience the thrill of seeing live art performances. For more information about RTKids, visit www.rosiestheaterkids.org.

Kinky Boots producer, Judith Ann Abrams, founder and producer of the famed Broadway family musical company, The Pixie Judy Troupe, brought members of her Troupe to entertain the PAL children and was joined on stage by Broadway actors Mark, Jennifer and Maeve Montague. The Pixie Judy Troupe, discovered by famed composer Richard Rodgers, has played every top theater in the U.S., London and The White House. Judy Abrams has been involved with PAL since 1981, and as a producer and investor was involved in 6 Broadway productions just last season alone.

New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for over 100 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 35,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org.

PHOTO CAPTION:

PAL staff and children from Queens are all smiles as they celebrate the holidays with PAL’s Executive Director Frederick Watts (back row, 2nd from left).

Photo credit: Luis Santana