Money Problems

Rockland County's Police Athletic League is having money problems. Things have gotten so bad that the P-A-L might have to cancel its programs for six thousand children. The storefront in Haverstraw is closed and the P-A-L is using a rent free office at the Nyack Village Hall. The P-A-L operates a boxing tournament, basketball league, dances and outings for about six thousand children in Rockland County. Executive Director John Whiffen says the P-A-L needs money to make money. He says it c postage to do a fund-raising mailing to 80-thousand homes. That mailing usually collects about 70-thousand dollars in donations. Whiffen says the P-A-L doesn't have the money to lay out. Whiffen adds that donations from businesses are down by 50-percent. He understands local business owners are beseiged by hundreds of non-profit groups each year and the donation dollar is spread thin. The P-A-L operates a recreation center and open gym programs in the villages of Piermont and Haverstraw, county little league programs, a boxing club, basketball league, trips to sporting events and dances. He says local school donate their facilities rent-free. The annual 150-thousand dollar budget is used for insurance, equipment, maintenance of vans to transport kids. And a 27-thousand dollars salary for the executive director. Whiffen says in past years they were able to make cuts to save programs but donations are so far off this year the entire P-A-L is in jeopardy.