PAL Pals Give Back During Holiday Season

It was a busy holiday season for the children and volunteers of the Howell Police Athletic League as they continued a tradition of bringing the community together through a variety of events.

Last week the PAL took over the Howell Lanes for the annual bowling party as the PAL’s Pals program and the community members they work with came together for a day of food and fun. Sgt. Chris Hill of the Howell Police Department said he was glad to see the event so successful for another year. “With the special needs kids it gives the parents a break,” he said. “They can go out Christmas shopping and we keep them busy with bowling and feeding them.”

Hill said it was another chance for the mainstream students and the special needs kids to bond and have fun during a festive time of the year. “It’s an opportunity to spend time and have a normal day,” he said. “It’s about them.”

The fun did not end for the PAL kids on Tuesday as an even larger group gathered on Wednesday morning for a trip to nearby Kimball Medical Center. Hill said the Howell contingent consisted of 66 members who went to Lakewood to sing songs and deliver presents to patients at the local hospital. With the fun starting at 7 a.m. Hill said many helped others before starting their own Christmas celebrations. “Now that’s the spirit of Christmas,” he said.

As with many events that the Pals do Hill said one of the people responsible for putting things together is Connie Hembree. “Connie makes sure that they don’t miss what any other kid does,” he said. “It’s near and dear to both our hearts.”

Hembree said the program started small with arts projects and gym time and has blossomed to a point where the kids take trips together and participate in a variety of community events. She said when the volunteers start she has a simple message for them. “I tell them you’re there to help them and be their big brother or big sister so you help them with social skills as if they were your own sister or brother. It makes a good connection.”

Hill said when it comes to the PAL program everyone is considered equal. “We want them to know that they’re normal to us and that they have the same life as any other kid.” Hembree added, “From your normal children to be incorporated it teaches them how to live with people who are disabled and people who are disabled to be able to work with the mainstream kids. They have a really good time.”