The AHR Expo is giving back to the Atlanta community with a donation of $20,500 from its Innovation Awards program to the Atlanta Police Athletic League.

Each year, the AHR Expo donates the entry fees from the Innovation Awards competition to a charitable organization within the region where the show is being held. For 2019, the AHR Expo has chosen to donate the funds to the Atlanta Police Athletic League (PAL), a non-profit public benefit corporation working under the mission of providing a safe environment for Atlanta area youth to reach their full potential through a partnership with local police and the surrounding community.

PAL was founded in 1983 as a community partnership between the Atlanta Police Department (APD), NPU’s, community investors and local business associations. The partnership has pioneered programs serving at-risk youths aged 8-18 years by implementing constructive, planned athletic and academic activities aimed at teaching moral, civic and social principles in a safe and nurturing environment.

“We are thrilled to have been named the recipient of the AHR Expo’s generous donation for 2019,” said Sgt. Vincent Sims of the Atlanta Police Athletic League. “We are deeply appreciative of the support given to our program and what we are doing here in Atlanta. We look forward to using the funds to support our HVAC projects that will improve our youth facilities in the coming year. This will help us as we grow our program and provide service to more youth in the area.”

PAL currently serves more than 2,800 children annually through programs such as its youth summer camp, youth athletic leagues and after-school tutoring programs. The strength of the program’s leadership in conjunction with the dedication of the Atlanta Police Department provides a strong youth crime prevention initiative by building positive relationships through educational activities.  

“Each year, the AHR Expo travels to a different city, and we are always so humbled by the warm welcome from the surrounding community. It means so much that we are able to work closely with these cities to give something back while we are in town,” said Clay Stevens, manager of the AHR Expo. “We are thrilled to lend our support through the donation of our Innovation Awards entry fees to strong programs such as PAL that are serving their communities for a vibrant future. We look forward to seeing PAL improve their HVAC systems as they continue to provide invaluable services to so many at-risk youths in the Atlanta community.”

For additional information on the 2019 AHR Expo, to be held Jan. 14-16 in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center, visit www.ahrexpo.com.