Sturgis Police Athletic League is the first of its kind in South Dakota

The Sturgis Police Athletic League (PAL) was established after local boxing coach approached the Sturgis Police Department to help with fundraising efforts for his boxing club and Officer Joe Leveque stepped up.

"I reached out to the National Police Athletic League and explained what we were trying to accomplish and we established the first PAL chapter in the state of South Dakota," said Leveque, a patrol officer with the Sturgis Police Department.

National PAL is a nonprofit organization, it was established in an effort to prevent juvenile crime and juvenile delinquency by offering the youth recreational and athletic activities to participate in.

"I was pretty nervous, I'm like don't want to be there," said Ethan Boidt, a member of Sturgis PAL. "This is a really fun program just to be in, it's good exercise and you make new friends."

The Sturgis PAL is always looking for donations so that they offer more recreational programs to youth in the future. To donate, visit www.sturgispal.org.