The Selma Police Athletic League is much more than what its name suggests. The volunteer organization headed by executive director detective Dorothy Cowan has been serving the Selma community for the past 15 years.

PAL not only provides local children a safe place to learn how to play basketball after school, but it also, and more importantly, establishes a relationship between the kids and both the police and fire departments.

PAL provides training programs, such as the Gang Resistance Education and Training program (GREAT) and mentoring programs for kids as well. The resources they provide allow the kids who utilize PAL to engage and establish a mutual respect with the local authority figures.

It’s a great way for the kids to see officers as more than just men and women in uniform.

An even better way to humanize the brave men and women of the police force and fire department, is watching them go head-to-head in a charity basketball game. Everyone can relate to missed free throws, poor shot selection and a friendly rivalry game with a hint of true competition.

The Team Up for Toys charity basketball game will be at 1 p.m. in the Selma High gymnasium on Dec. 16.

Admission to the game is simply an unwrapped new toy or a minimum $5 donation to the cause.

Donations can also be dropped off at the Selma Police and Fire departments, the PAL Center, Selma City Schools, City Hall, Urgent Care, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Green Law Firm, Craig Credit Union and WJAM radio station.