Lemoore Police Department gives big thank you to PAL program booster Tammi Madrigal

Madrigal was honored for her service by the Lemoore Police Department at Tuesday’s (Sept. 5) city council meeting where Lemoore Police Chief Darrell Smith awarded her a recognition plaque. Her husband, Mayor Ray Madrigal, presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

“I’m honored to be recognized by Chief Smith and his staff,” said Madrigal. “The Don Warkentin Golf Tournament is a labor of love for me. I get to use my experience in event coordinating and my connections with friends in our community who also have a passion to give back.”

She added that it's rewarding for her and others to be able to help the kids who participate in the PAL program. “It would not be as successful without their passion to make our community better,” said Madrigal.

It was Warkentin, the late West Hills College Lemoore president, who inspired Madrigal to get involved. She got together some friends, talked to Chief Smith and decided a memorial golf tournament to benefit the PAL program might be the right way to contribute.

Two years later, the two successful tournaments netted about $40,000, all of it going to the PAL program.

The PAL’s program is simple. Surround at-risk kids with positive influences from responsible adults and police officers who volunteer their time to work with young people, and youngsters will develop self-confidence, self-esteem, civic engagement, academic achievement and ultimately will become productive members of their community.

Police Athletic Leagues are nationally-recognized programs that get young kids off the streets and into constructive situations. The first PAL was started in 1917 by New York City Police Lt. Ed Flynn who recognized that the youth hanging out on the street corners were craving structure and guidance.

As the success of the PAL concept spread, PAL programs developed in other communities. Today, there are over 400 PAL Member Chapters in law enforcement agencies servicing over 700 cities and 1,700 facilities throughout the United States, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving more than one million youth, ages 5 to 18.

According to the National Police Athletics/Activities Leagues, Inc. 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.

The Lemoore PAL program currently has a space in the Lemoore Cinnamon Recreation Complex.