PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GEICO recently joined forces with local organizations in Philadelphia to celebrate the grand opening of the Strawberry Mansion Police Athletic League (PAL) Center located at 3133 Ridge Ave., in Philadelphia.
PAL Centers serve as safe havens for kids between the ages 6-18 and offer a variety of athletic, educational and character development programming to attract, engage and develop Philadelphia’s youth. Each PAL Center is run by an on-duty Philadelphia police officer, allowing kids to build positive relationships with local police.
GEICO has signed on as the official Strawberry Mansion “Adopt-a-Center” partner in support of PAL’s operations.
With the help of local community partners, the Strawberry Mansion PAL Center was transformed from a dilapidated school into a state-of-the-art facility, now offering a multitude of programs ranging from gymnastics to basketball to homework club and computer education. The center hosts more than 400 students.
“GEICO is proud of its longstanding support of the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia and its outstanding youth development programs,” said GEICO Regional Vice President Scott Markel. “The opening of the Strawberry Mansion PAL Center provides a great opportunity for kids to learn, grow and have fun in a safe environment.”
Along with the daily programs in the center, Strawberry Mansion youth will be exposed to new experiences in the broader Philadelphia community, including PAL Nights at the Phillies and Sixers, PAL Day at City Hall, PAL Night at the Arts and ice skating at the University of Pennsylvania.
PAL Executive Director Ted Qualli called the newest PAL center, “a celebration of partnerships and perseverance three years in the making. This center has been made possible with the significant help of neighborhood leaders, city government and the business community, and is a shining example of what can be accomplished when we come together to create opportunity for our children.”
For more information about PAL, visit https://phillypal.org/.