By Ginny Raue
WEST MILFORD — Kristin Nevin has lots of ideas. Speaking with her, you get the feeling she has laser vision locked on to originating new ideas and programs that will enliven, financially boost and expand West Milford’s Police Athletic League (PAL).
Nevin, 42, and a life-long resident of the township, accepted the part-time position as director of development for PAL in April and she’s been busy ever since. She knows the town, she knows how to organize and raise funds.
Nevin, whose husband, Joe, is a West Milford police officer, has held various volunteer positions in West Milford schools and organizing benefit events has been her specialty. She graduated from West Milford High School in 1989, then went to Philadelphia University, earning a bachelor of science degree in interior design. She's run her own business, "Highlands Interior Design," since 1994. This designing woman now has her eye on the prize for PAL.
“We’re in the process of evaluating and instituting new programs so we can reach out to different interests in the community, to make it more of a facility for the whole town,” Nevin said.
The PAL facility, a 22,000 square foot building erected in 1999, is located at the intersection of Ridge and Cahill Cross Roads in a bucolic setting, complete with a lake and the usual compliment of water birds, all set in an attractive landscape. The building contains three basketball courts, also used for indoor soccer, office space, meeting rooms, a kitchen and a concession stand. Parking is plentiful with two large lots.
Currently the programs at PAL tend toward sports: basketball and soccer, and it is also home to the Cavaliers, a baton twirling/dance team for children in grades kindergarten through 12. An open gym program is available to middle and high school students. The complete listing of programs may be seen on PAL’s Web site.
Making better use of the facilities for children, adults and seniors is on the horizon as well as fund raising events for the organization.
Within the next few months, PAL plans on bringing bingo back to West Milford. A Johnny Cash tribute band concert is set for Nov. 14 and Halloween events to be held on Oct. 26 will include Trunk or Treat, a Monster Mash dance party and a Trail of Terror for the fearless. A karaoke event for all ages on Sept. 28 could bring out some hidden West Milford talent – or maybe just some good family fun.
Nevin, hoping to include all ages in the moral and financial support and use of PAL, invites adults and seniors to stop by on a wintry Saturday. “Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy watching a game,” she said. You’ll always be welcome. Get to know your local PAL.
A monthly fifth- and sixth- grader activity night will kick off on Sept. 27. Nevin said this will be a great way for kids, who are spread out in different elementary schools around town, to mingle and get to know each other before they reach middle school.
Also coming up will be theme parties. With a private room and use of a full kitchen available, Nevin suggested sports themes or dress-up princess parties, for example, among many other fun themes for kids. She hopes to get teenagers involved with the parties, having them interact with the youngsters and become acquainted with PAL themselves.
“My big thing with PAL is that it is a great place for kids to go, to be with friends, to be active in the community, to exercise, to be together in a safe environment,” said Nevin, who has three daughters herself.
PAL has a part time staff but is almost fully run by volunteers. However, as with all organizations, there are costs involved. PAL officers recently came to the town council asking that they give the group some time to get its financial house in order. A declining enrollment in district schools and PAL programs has caused the group to fall behind financially. To that end, fund raising efforts are vital and are being revamped.
“I know in this economy it’s not easy for people to just write a check,” she said. But perhaps, she added, getting a few hours of activity in return for their dollars while bringing the community together may be more appealing.
As always, a check in the mail to support PAL’s programs will be warmly welcomed. To make giving easier, PAL has recently instituted a credit card payment system for both registrations and donations. Businesses interested in supporting PAL can sponsor a team or purchase a banner to hang in the gym.
“We are new and improved with more community outreach, more involvement, more activities,” Nevin said.
Maybe their new slogan - “Be a PAL” - says it all.