1

SUPPORTSUPPORT

SUPPORT. . . . . .

CAPTAIN SEAN KANE

Iam continually enthralled by thesupport provided to our Police Activities League Sup-porters (PALS) organization, be it the voluntary in-volvement of the Board of Directors adding up to thou-sands of hours of effort at meetings and behind thescene fundraising efforts or support of the City andState in the form of monetary grants and in-kind dona-tions of materials and labor. We have enjoyed greatcommunity support at our PALS Golf Tournament, an-nual Monte Carlo Night fundraiser and other outreach.Remember to put on your calendar, the next PALSGolf Tourney at Porter Ranch on July 14. It is a greattournament with many nice prizes based on skill andalso those that anyone can win like raffles. Additionallyour Devonshire Explorers and PALS Youth also helpout that day and would love to meet their supporters.These fundraising opportunities are vitally important tothe mission of building a new PALS Youth Centerbreaking ground soon, bringing a dream to life formany in the community. However, the support for this

Continued on page 3

February 2008Volume 1 Issue 3

Inside this issue:

Captain Sean Kane 1

Reflections 1

PALS Toy Drive 2

Learning to Protect & Serve 3

GALS for PALS 3

Kennedy High School Toys for PALS 4

PALS Awards Banquet 5

GIVING YOUTH A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

PRESIDENT LORRAINE NEW

2007 was an incredible year for Devon-shire PALS. There isn’t space to list allof our wonderful accomplishments, but let me share afew with you.

• The number of program volunteers helping in ouryouth center grew significantly enabling us to serveeven more children.

• A new tutoring program was introduced helpingPALS kids make great strides in reading and math.

• Thanks to the Barbara McIntyre Memorial Founda-tion we awarded six college scholarships to deserv-ing PALS members. We also helped PALS teensmake choices about colleges by sponsoring theirparticipation in the Life After High School Confer-ence.

• We received a special grant from the LA Times tounderwrite additional fun and educational field trips.

Continued on page 2

LAPD DEVONSHIRE PALSPOLICE ACTIVITY LEAGUE SUPPORTERS

McIntyre Scholarship Program 5

Growing Up With PALS 6

Jennifer’s Essay 6

Capital Campaign Update 7

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 7

Board Officers & Advisors 8

Contact Us 8

2

OFFICERELIZABETH SANDOVAL

DEVONSHIRE PALS ANNUAL

Each year, during the holidays, Devonshire PALSAnnual Toy Drive celebrates the spirit of giving. Withthe support of the schools, churches, chambers,women’s clubs, local organizations and merchants,more than $ 2,500 was collected in donations. Wishescame true when over 3,000 toys were distributed tothe needy youth of our area . Each gift, no matter thesize, made a tangible difference in the life of a child. Areception was planned following the distribution andfamilies were invited to attend with their children.Guests were entertained with Christmas carols fromthe Tinsel Toons Caroling Group. Santa Claus (PorterHudson) made a special appearance and handed outcandy canes as he talked to each child.

The generosity of this community has continually madethe Devonshire PALS Annual Toy Drive a success yearafter year. The toys collected benefited hundreds ofdisadvantaged children throughout our community.

On behalf of Devonshire PALS I would like to thankthis wonderful community, and all the dedicated volun-teers for your generous donation of toys, time, talentand cash to make this one of the most successfulDEVONSHIRE PALS ANNUAL TOY DRIVES ever ! ■

Learning Center

Starbucks Coffee- Reseda/Northridge

Starbucks Coffee - Plummer/Northridge

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Osh Hardware-Granada Hills

Western Bagel-Plummer/Northridge

Subway-Devonshire/Northridge

K Bee Toy Store-Northridge Fashion Ctn.

Northridge Mall Management - NFC

Tinsel Toons, Caroling Group

L.A.P.D. Federal Credit Union-Van Nuys

Hope Christian Church-Northridge

From page 1

PRESIDENT LORRAINE NEW

• Thanks to our expanded fundraising efforts, 15 PALSkids attended a week of YMCA mountain camp—formany this was their first time away from home.

• Our annual PALS Golf Classic was better than everand produced record funds to support our programs.PALS activities are always free of charge to kids.

• The 2007 Monte Carlo Night was the event of the yearand produced $100,000 for our capital campaign.

• The capital campaign has now raised $3 million andconstruction is slated to begin this spring. Very soon anew youth center will be in place for the kids of ourcommunity!

All of this was accomplished through the hard work andgenerous gifts of our PALS Board of Directors and avery long list of community supporters. 2008 promisesto be even more exciting and fulfilling. Thanks to youwe are helping at-risk youth to develop positive rela-tionships with the LAPD and gain the skills and confi-dence they need to become productive members ofour community.■

“The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

TOY DRIVE DONORS

TOY DRIVE DONORS

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GALS for PALSANNE GAYNOR

The second annual Gals forPALS luncheon was held onNovember 29, 2007. It was asmashing success. Severalthousand dollars was raised from the luncheon itself,and a single donation of $10,000 came from the Sy-monds Foundation. It was donated right there at theluncheon. Several vendors had booths at this excitingevent. There were trendy clothes from My Fair Lady,upscale costume jewelry and Pampered Chef just toname a few. Beautiful, assorted gift baskets were raf-fled off along with Dream Dinners and other items. Wehad wonderful entertainment provided by special choirsfrom Granada Hills Charter High School. PALS pur-chased and occupied three tables. Everybody had adelightful afternoon. We certainly appreciate thosegreat ladies from the Granada Hills WomenClub.■

From Page 1

CAPTAIN SEAN KANEhuge undertaking can not take a back seat to the ongo-ing efforts to provide guidance, mentoringtraining and enrichment opportunities to the youth in-volved in PALS now. Involvement of these young peo-ple has continued seamlessly with scores of successstories due to the involvement of officers, mentor, tu-tors and many role models that take the time to be-come involved. These are the unsung supporters thatput their heart and soul into making a difference. Regu-larly they are not the ones in the front of the celebra-tory photo and are happy to work behind the scenesrelishing in the thanks and successes of their youthfullearners. To volunteer or to receive more informationplease visit our PALS website, at www.devonshire-pals.org. I am honored to be associated with everyoneinvolved in PALS.■

OFFICER MARLENAN. HERRICKExplorers Post 660

As a young officer on the Depart-ment you are rarely given the privilege to work with aunit that incorporates so much of the surrounding com-munity in your day-to-day job. Normally, your interac-tion with youth in the area tend to be limited to negativeincidents that may sometimes alter an officer's opinionof the city he or she is working for.

I am so proud to be the newest addition to the Devon-shire area Explorers and meet so many young menand women who inspire and promote the positive influ-ence we project when a community and local policeentity work together.

During my first days here, Imet a young man namedGabe Whitman, whose dedi-cation and command of theExplorer Post was extraordi-narily impressive. He waswell liked and respected byevery individual in the post,and was the most organizedperson I had ever met. In the past few years, Gabe hadbecome the Post's Captain and had grown to be anexceptional leader. Last month, Gabe turned twenty-one, and per the Department's policy could no longerbe an "official" Explorer. Gabe had no hard feelings inthe matter, because on December 10th, 2007, hejoined us as a recruit Officer In the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment. I, as well as my colleagues and other Ex-plorers are extremely proud of Gabe and will be ex-cited to see him out on patrol in only a few shortmonths. We send out best wishes and hopes that hemay find great fulfillment in his new career as a PoliceOfficer and stay safe out in the streets.■

Gabe Whitman

LAPD DEVONSHIRE PALS

29TH Golf Invitational, Monday, July 14, 2008

Porter Valley Country Club

Singing Hills Dr. Northridge

This tournament provides the means for all the PALS Youth Center programs.

Please save the date and join us for this great event.

Sally Barnes (818) 349-1706

4

“Billions of dollars are spent annually on productsmanufactured from wood in this country, and yet thetop concern facing secondary wood products in manu-facturing firms today is lack of a skilled workers andmanagement force. Where can we find skilled employ-ees.? “Margaret Fisher

“There is a growing consensus in society today thatindustrial and technology education should be en-hanced in our educational system and that these pro-grams have demonstrated, beyond question, bringingcoherence to our fragmented academic world whileenhancing student performance in other academic dis-ciplines. Students are asked daily to engage in learningactivities which require use of higher-order thinkingskills like analysis, synthesis and evaluation.”Instructor Robert Hazards ■

KIDS HELPING KIDS. . . .MARY ANN CONRON

Robert Hazard’s WoodworkingTechnology class at Kennedy HighSchool decided to donate woodentoys to the Devonshire PALS Toy Drive for at risk kids.Combining community philanthropy, classroom prob-lem solving, and the academic skills required to com-pete in the basic industries of manufacturing and con-struction, the students created ( lead free, by the way )wooden trucks and cars. The project was headed bytwo students, Kevin Sorayazadeh and Brian Rivas.It is so moving to see a generation of teenagers whoare aware of our social problems, and who are reallyreaching out to help. How good can it get ? “ KIDSHELPING KIDS “

Officer Elizabeth Sandoval from the Devonshire LosAngeles Police Department and PALS presidentLorraine New awarded the two students a certificate ofappreciation for their donation of the toys and theiroutstanding workmanship. Officer Slater and I werepresent also to honor the students. The novel woodentoys were the hit of the toy drive. In fact it generated aninterest in woodworking with some of the PALS kids.

Industrial technology education is so essential to thesocial and the political well-being of our democracy.The basic industries of manufacturing and constructionis the backbone of American society.

Instructor Robert Hazard & Students

Kevin Sorayazadeh with Officer Sandoval & Lorraine New

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Devonshire PALS Awards Banquet

SOPHIE BARCY

On December 11, 2007 over 100guests attended the annual PALSAwards Banquet at the Porter

Valley Country Club. This successful event proved tobe exciting for all.

President Lorraine New welcomed the guests after theflag salute, led by Sandy Halter. Captain Kane ac-knowledged the dignitaries and Father Anthony Savasgave the invocation. Each year Devonshire PALSpays tribute to the achievements and contributions ofthe members, volunteers, supporters and police offi-cers who have made a positive impact on the youth ofour community. Two PALS members were presentedthe President’s Award. This high honor went to GregBaker and Mitch Englander for their dedication andoutstanding leadership. The exceptional Chair Awardswent to Sally Barnes, Stan Bryant and Nancy Cart-wright.

President Lorraine New received the American flagsthat flew over the California State Capitol and theUnited States Capitol in Washington DC. CaptainKane and Lorraine New received the prestigious PoliceBadge award encased in a velvet shadow box com-mending both of them for their leadership, and extraor-dinary accomplishments. One of the highlights of theevent included a DVD video created by Explorer PostCaptain Whitman. This presentation included severalimages of the Explorers in training. and on duty. ManyExplorers continue on to the Police Academy andchoose a career as police officers. Thank you to allour volunteers, to PALS photographer Gary Washburnand the police officers who helped to make this eventsuch a success ! ■

Lorraine New presenting the Presidents Award toGreg Baker & Mitch Englander

Greg Baker & Mitch Englander

Lorraine New presents the President’s Award

Barbara McIntyre

Memorial Foundation

Scholarship

RICHARD BELTRAN

Historically, the DevonshirePALS scholarship program has consisted of the award-ing of two five-hundred-dollar scholarships each yearto the two outstanding Devonshire Explorers selectedby the Devonshire Explorers Officer-in-Charge (OIC).Recently, these two scholarships were named to honortwo individuals who contributed greatly to the PALSand Explorers programs. One was named to honor thememory of the late Reggie Beltran, who served on thePALS Board of Directors and contributed many hoursof her time in support of the PALS program, as well asactively participating in the Chatsworth NeighborhoodWatch since the early seventies. The second scholar-ship was named to honor Captain Joe Curreri, formerArea Commander of Devonshire Area, LAPD, and cur-rent Area Commander of Foothill Area, LAPD, for hisoverwhelming support of both the PALS and Explorersprograms. These two scholarships are typically pre-sented at the Devonshire Explorers annual awardsbanquet held in November of each year.

In 2006, the PALS scholarship program was signifi-cantly expanded by creation of the Barbara McIntyreMemorial Foundation Scholarship by Leo McIntyre, tohonor the memory of Leo’s late wife, Barbara. BarbaraMcIntyre was a Los Angeles Police Department uni-formed reserve officer who actively supported and par-ticipated in the Devonshire PALS and Explorers pro-grams. She could often be seen manning the frontdesk at the LAPD Devonshire station, with her winningsmile and caring disposition. Each year, the BarbaraMcIntyre Memorial Foundation’s President, Craig Pfef-ferman, coordinates the accumulation of sufficientfunding to provide substantial levels of scholarshipsupport for the qualifying recipients. Devonshire PALSwas selected to administer this program and accord-ingly established a PALS Scholarship Committee toconduct the appropriate screening activities and pro-duce the short list of selected recipients. PALS Boardmembers comprising the committee are Sophie Barcy,Mary Ann Conron, Sandy Halter, Judy Nutter, and DickBeltran as Chairman.■

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Growing Up With PALS…LINDA DUNAM

Devonshire PALS enters 2008 still enrolling, engaging and educating local youth from seven toseventeen. It is business as usual, all systems go. Reaching out one by one, face to face, heartto heart, hand to hand. In current quarters so cramped, superior organization and maximum col-laboration are critical to smooth daily operations, LAPD brilliantly staffs this Youth Center withone of its best.

Role models come no finer than LAPD Officer Elizabeth Sandoval. Be sure to read her column; page two. At PALS,she is the conductor extraordinaire. Some say she is the wizard behind the curtain. Apparently motivated by herpassion for saving and transforming lives, she brings big energy, invaluable intellect, experience, and double devo-tion to PALS.

Is it obvious to You, yet? It is clear to me, there is a lot of something something very special happening inside,around and through this tiny Youth Center. I would like to introduce You to every PALticipant. For now, please meetone Jennifer Rodriquez, an outstanding eleven year old with the wisdom of sages. You may recall her from Issue 1,"Testimonials from PALS’ Kids." She recently submitted a winning entry into the December Disneyland field trip es-say competition. “IF YOU HAD ALL THE POWER AND MONEY IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TOHELP PEOPLE?” was the question posed. ■

… What Would I Do ?

JENNIFER RODRIGUEZ

Iwould help the poor people by giving them money, food, blankets, toys and other es-sential items. I would help schools by donating school supplies. I would build more schools. Iwould also build homes. That would give people more pride in themselves. It’s better to behelpful to other people because they don’t have a lot of money to buy stuff. It is a good ideato help other people because they don’t have many places to go to. I love helping other peo-

ple because I feel so sad to see others without food, homes or blankets. I would be happy if they had clothes,homes, blankets, food and other happy stuff. I would build more hospitals and clinics so more people will be healthyand safe. People wouldn’t have to travel long distances. The hospitals won’t charge a lot so they could afford it . Bygiving essential items to kids they will be more healthy and will learn more. They will be warm and have a good time.They will be able to go to school and meet new people and make friends. By building schools kids will get a goodeducation and get a good job. The poor people are so kind to us. If we don’t give them money or food they will die.■

JENNIFER’SWORLD

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GREG BAKER & STAN BRYANT

Capital Campaign Co-Chairs

New Youth Center Campaign Update

Our dream of creating a new PALS youth center is just around the corner! In fact, we expect construction to beginthis spring. Plans for a groundbreaking celebration are in the works and you’ll be hearing more about this in the com-ing weeks. Won’t that be a spectacular day!

Thanks to the efforts of so many, we’ve taken huge strides toward achieving our goal. Our campaign now stands at$3 million from more than 520 supporters. Included is a $1.3 million Community Development Block Grant securedby Councilman Greig Smith. Greig’s Chief of Staff Mitch Englander and Legislative Deputy John Lee, along withmany other staff members, have played a critical role in our success. Devonshire PALS and our community are in-deed fortunate to have such effective and inspiring city leadership.

Our architect Luckman Partnership submitted construction drawings to plan check in December and we are workingour way through the building and safety approval process. Our project manager Danny Kaye is streamlining our ef-forts and making our construction project as cost effective as possible.

The bidding and selection process for a general contractor will soon take place. Once a general contractor is onboard, we will know what our project will ultimately cost. In the meantime, we anticipate the need for up to another$400,000 to support construction and start-up of the new center. We are continuing to seek generous gifts fromfoundations, service organizations, businesses and individuals.

We are deeply grateful for such widespread community support. We look forward to keeping you posted on our pro-gress.■

Thank you toFather Anthony Savas,

Father Haralambos Fox,

Father Spencer Kezios,

Maria Janios and the children of the

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

for donating gifts & toys to the

Devonshire PALS Toy Drive

and making this past Holiday Season

a bright one for so many needy

children in our community.

8

PALS BOARD OFFICERS

PresidentLorraine New

Vice PresidentsGreg Baker ■ Sophie Barcy ■ Sally Barnes

Mary Ann Conron

SecretaryVictoria Bourdas

Corresponding SecretaryJudy Nutter

TreasurerSandy Clydesdale

ParliamentarianDick Ashnault

Board Members

Spence Andrews ■ Richard Beltran ■ Stan Bryant

Nancy Cartwright ■ Joan Danko ■ Jim Dellinger

Linda Dunham ■ Mitch Englander ■ Anne Gaynor

Daniyel Gordon ■ Max Haghighi ■ Sandy Halter

Janet Hartley ■ Brian Horowitz ■ Ingrid Hudshon

Carol Loweree ■ Ruth Richter ■ Patti Russell

Brady Waite ■ Gary Washburn

ADVISORS

Captain Sean KaneCaptain Bea Girmala

Community RelationsSgt. Jose Torres

PALSOfficer Elizabeth Sandoval

818-772-1717

ExplorersOfficer Kellie Cueto

818-756-8270

JeopardyOfficer John Hardin

818-756-8270

Legal CouncilJohn J. Jamgotchian

818-592-0214

PROGRAM CHAIRS

Capital Campaign

Greg Baker ■ Stan Bryant

Golf Tournament

Sally Barnes

MembershipJoan Z. Danko

Monte Carlo Night

Nancy Cartwright Inc.

Newsletter EditorMary Ann Conron

Co-Editor– Gary Washburn

PALS Awards BanquetSophie Barcy

Reference Manual & PublicationsSandy Halter

Speakers Bureau & Public RelationsMary Ann Conron

ScholarshipsRichard Beltran

CONTACT US

LAPD Devonshire PALS Youth Center19100 Parthenia St. Suite 6

Northridge, CA 91324Officer Elizabeth Sandoval

818-772-1717

Mailing Address:LAPD Devonshire PALS

P.O. BOX 8056Northridge, CA 91327

Devonshire PALSNew Youth Center Campaign

8860 Corbin Avenue #321Northridge, Ca. 91324

Web Site: www Devonshire-pals.org