BALTIMORE (March 3, 2010) – St. John Properties, Inc., together with Baltimore Crossroads @95, will present a check on Friday, March 5 for $25,000 to the Baltimore County Police Athletic League (PAL), at 3:30 pm at the Mars Estates PAL Center, located at 1498 East Homberg Ave., Baltimore, MD 21221. A number of business executives and local officials are expected to participate, including Dr. Nancy Grasmick, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools; Chief, Jim Johnson, Baltimore County Police Department; and PJ Widerman, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Baltimore County Police Athletic League.
The donation represents proceeds generated from last fall’s second annual Baltimore Crossroads @95 5K CrossCountry Challenge Race, in which more than 1,000 individuals participated in an innovative road/trail run and 1 mile family fun walk that traversed throughout the business park. The Maryland State School System played an integral role in the race, as seven Hereford Zone schools participated and used the event as a pilot for a charitable fundraiser of their own. The event also featured 56 exhibitors representing police, fire and rescue organizations, educators, and other community groups and businesses. A third annual race will be held this fall.
A portion of last year’s race proceeds, totaling $10,000, was donated to the PAL program. Together with this year’s contribution of $25,000, St. John Properties and Baltimore Crossroads @95 have donated a total of $35,000 to Baltimore County’s PAL Centers. Medals were awarded to 56 participants in last year’s race, along with prizes totaling $1,700 in cash and savings bonds.
The $25,000 donation is earmarked to benefit the Baltimore County PAL Centers, which, since 1977, have provided a safe, constructive alternative to idleness for many youngsters throughout the region. PAL Centers are staffed by Baltimore County police officers and recreation coordinators, who, along with community volunteers, try to enhance the positive moral development of the youth through enjoyable activities. Every PAL Center has a recreational section so that youths can enjoy table tennis, billiards, video games, and other forms of entertainment. The PAL program also offers homework centers, tutorial assistance, craft programs, and other activities designed to expand its members’ intellectual and imaginative abilities. The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks is a partner with the Police Department in operation of the PAL Centers and has been an essential part of the Centers’ success.
“Our first 5K exceeded all our expectations, but last year’s race almost doubled in participation in terms of the number of businesses and individuals that participated in the event, and this was reflected in the larger contribution to PAL,” stated Ed St. John, President of St. John Properties. “We were equally impressed with the energy, enthusiasm and can-do attitude exhibited by the Baltimore County Police Department. St. John Properties would like to especially thank Jim Johnson, Chief of the Baltimore County Police Department, for his leadership and motivational efforts to arrange for the many hands-on exhibits and scores of volunteers. The show of support was exactly what we needed.”
Chief Johnson thanked St. John Properties and Baltimore Crossroads @95 for the generous donation, saying, “Partners working together in this way, linking the private sector and the Police Department, are a tremendous asset as we continue to enhance our services to youth.”
“PAL will put this generous donation to good use and it will benefit directly the youth of Baltimore County that are so positively influenced by our programs on a daily basis,” stated PJ Widerman, Chairman of the Board for PAL. “We are appreciative that our group has been the beneficiary of this wonderful event. But the real beneficiaries are the PAL youth participants.”
About Baltimore Crossroads @95
Baltimore Crossroads @95 is an entity of Somerset Construction Company, a partner in Baltimore Crossroads @95, a 1100-acre mixed-use business community in White Marsh, MD.
About St. John Properties
St. John Properties, Inc., founded in 1971 as MIE Properties, owns and has developed more than 14 million square feet of R&D/flex, warehouse, office and retail space in Maryland, Colorado, Louisiana, Virginia and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.
