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56 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ FEBRUARY 2014 Sussex County PALs up with local youth organizations Sussex County Local 138’s PAL was formed in 1999 with the main focus of creating sports groups in its community. Over the years, the organization has expanded to take on other non-profits that involve kids, including the Cub Scouts and its own troop of Youth Explorers. “We give out donations upon request to help as many groups as we can,” said John D’Onofrio, PAL treasurer. “We take applications for requests and 99.9 percent of them get a donation.” The PAL’s Explorers program helps kids aged 14-21 get involved with the police. “We’ve used them for parking during events and to monitor the grounds,” D’Onofrio said. “They are our eyes and ears.” At a PAL-sponsored Blue and Gold potluck dinner on March 23 at the Hillside Park Hall in Andover, Cub Scout Pack 276 will be hosting its awards ceremony. There will also be a cake/dessert contest, where entrants can submit decorated treats in the following categories: Best Cub Scouts theme, Best Patriotic theme, Best Outdoors/Camping theme and Best Banquet theme. Recently, the PAL awarded the Pack a check for $600. “We do whatever we can for the kids,” D’Onofrio said. For more information about the dinner, email John or Julie Figiel at jafigiel@embarqmail.com. d From left: Local 138 Delegate Victor Marin, Local 138 President Scott King and Past Delegate John Hulse