Bakersfield Police Department’s PAL program to host first fundraiser since COVID-19

With social distancing in place the last year, the hallways at Bakersfield Police Department’s Police Activities League (PAL) Center have been quiet.

Their usual classes for kids – from boxing to leadership programs— are closed and the annual fundraisers which help bring in money for activities and staff were postponed until they could be held safely.

But on Saturday, February 20^th, the Bakersfield PAL program is excited to host its 11^th Annual PULL FOR PAL Clay Shoot. An outdoor event that allows them to welcome community members back to PAL for an afternoon under the sun and a chance to raise money for the program – while still social distancing and following COVID-19 guidelines.

“We do three major fundraisers each year that helps us raise money to pay our staff and for our programs. But this year we couldn’t do them because they were inside, had big crowds … and we didn’t know how to do them and follow COVID-19 guidelines,” said Bakersfield PD Sgt. David Brooks.  “We usually raise about $200,000 in revenue …  and that helps us operate. With less funding we can’t do as much, but we will bring everything back as we can.”

The 11^th Annual PULL for PAL event will be held outdoors at the Kern Country Gun Club, 12450 Shotgun Road, where teams of five will be able to move through 20 stations shooting clay targets. The popular PAL event brings in community members from all over the region who enjoy a bit of competition while raising money for a nonprofit.

“This is always a popular event for us, we have a lot of people who do sporting and hunting, and this is a chance for them to go out there and have some competitional fun,” said Sgt. Brooks.

This year, due to COVID, they have streamlined the number of people who can attend, closing the sign ups at 28 groups at $500 per team or $600 for walk-ins on the day of the event – if space permits.

The event will have prizes, opportunity drawings and lunch is provided for teams who sign up.

“It’s a good time … people are able to be outside, get involved and then if they win – get some bragging rights,” said Sgt. Brooks.

For more information or to find out if there are any more openings for the event: