It is that time of year again, the season for the Police Athletic League of New Jersey to canvas our community for donations To support the local PAL.
I received a call tonight and the caller ID read unknown caller. When I picked up the phone a man identified himself as Joe Parisi of the Police Athletic League. I asked him which PAL he was from and he said the state PAL and upon further inquiry said they collect money and send it out to the donor's local PAL. He said I had donated in the past and that indeed my funds had been directed to the West Milford PAL, and so would any future donations. I gathered as much information from him that I could before he hung up the phone.
A quick search of the Web site he gave me is just a banner with the name Police Athletic League of NJ. Further searches revealed that this charity's filings do not appear to be up to date. I did manage to find this chart: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charity/inquired/2011/1211/PALofNewJersey1211.pdf, representing how they claim the funds are distributed but the reporting agency acknowledges that nothing has been verified.
This shows a whopping 50 percent as fundraising costs and another 10 percent as management expenses with the balance for programs! Yes 60 cents of every dollar stays at PAL of NJ!
This organization which seems to be made up of 4 or 5 individuals has never contributed one penny to the West Milford PAL despite what the caller said.
Rest assured that we are not and have absolutely no connection to the Police Athletic League of NJ and would not do any business with a group like that.
So please be careful when you receive calls or letters in the mail asking for your support for the kids in West Milford, as our kids never see anything from this group. Donations to our organization should always be made directly to: The West Milford PAL, P.O. Box 644, West Milford, NJ 07480.
Bill Hemstead
President WM PAL