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Chief Leonard Purvis
Executive Director
Banning Police Department
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Thank you for visiting the Banning Police Activities League website. We appreciate you taking interest in this very important program. In January of 2007, the Banning Police Department re-introduced the Banning Police Activities League to the City of Banning. Each Saturday (during the school year), there are between 70-90 youth who play basketball, volleyball, dodge ball, or tennis with our officers and non-sworn personnel at Nicolet Middle School.
The youth also skateboard and scooter at the local skate park across the street from the school. The close contact our youth have with our personnel gives them positive role models to interact with and keeps them away from dangerous activity while they are participating in our programs.
The Banning Police Activities League currently sponsors a soccer team, a hip-hop dance group, and a Mexican Ballet de Folklorico group. In the fall of 2008, BPAL started the “Clubb Mudd” ceramics class at Nicolet Middle School. This program gives youth the opportunity to learn pottery skills after school.
As you will see, our youth have the opportunity to take part in positive programs throughout the year. Our youth are also taught the importance of giving back to their communities through various volunteer projects. We are very proud of our BPAL kids. After viewing this website, we hope you will be just as proud of our youth as we are.
Chief Purvis
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Johnna Feola
President
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Hi to our visitors of this great BPAL website! My name is Johnna Feola, BPAL Director since June 2007. It was a privilege for me when Doug Monte invited me to be a part of this very special non-profit youth organization.
As a full-time working mother (and bank manager for 14 years), I am a firm believer that keeping our children busy in a positive and community building environment gives greater possibility in keeping them safe and helping them to make good decisions. The youth of Banning, as a member of BPAL, interact with members of the Banning Police Dept, Political partners, business owners, and our volunteers.
It is an honor for me to be a volunteer, to witness the growth of the members of BPAL from young kids to young adults. My son, Chad, also volunteers with BPAL. It is a fabulously fun and fantastic family experience.
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Alex Diaz
Director
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Hello, my name is Alex Diaz and I am excited to be part of the Banning Police Activities League Board of Directors. I began my career with the Banning Police Department in December 2005. Prior to my career with the City of Banning, I was a Police Officer with the City of San Diego for five years and a Probation Officer for the County of San Diego Probation Department for four years. I am currently assigned to the Detective Bureau as a Sergeant. I am married to my wife Sofia and have four kids and three dogs.
The purpose of the Banning Police Activities League program is to offer an alternative to gangs/drugs to the youth of our city. Our goal is to make a difference one kid at a time.
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Debbie Franklin
Director
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Hello, I am Debbie Franklin,
I am a Banning City Councilmember, Riverside County Community Action Partnership Commissioner, Riverside Transit Agency Boardmember, Disaster Preparedness Committee member, Pass Area Supporting Soldiers Chairperson, Holiday Wish Committee Coordinator, San Gorgonio Childcare Consortium Board President, Rotary, Interact Advisor. 25-year Banning resident, Married, 2 children, Retired from insurance claims management with 28 years
Reason for involvement with BPAL – Our youth are our tomorrow. By participating with our youth, I am making my investment in our future. Goal – to help make Banning a better place for all who Live here. On facebook and will soon have a website
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Jorge Castillo
Director
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Jorge Castillo has been the BPAL Soccer coach for the past three years. Jorge played professional soccer in Mexico and is employed as a soccer coach for the Banning Unified School District.
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Veronica Topete
Vice President
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My name is Veronica Topete, I have been part of BPAL for one year. I feel honored to be part of BPAL where all kids are welcomed and respected individually. BPAL provides a diverse environment which enables our youth to enrich their social and leadership skills. The goal is to offer a variety of activities that will keep our youth busy and out of trouble.
I have lived in Banning all my life. I am married and have 3 daughters ages 11, 8, and 5. My daughters attend Banning Schools. I am a Federal Employee. I am active in my community not only in BPAL but also a board member for the Banning Mexican-American Scholarship Association, Booster Club officer at Central Elementary School, President of ELAC (English language Learners Advisory Committee) at Central Elementary School, and School Site Council member at Susan B. Coombs. I love to travel and spend time with my family.
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Vince Avila
Director
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Elizabeth Purvis
Treasurer
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My name is Elizabeth Purvis. I am married to Leonard Purvis, the Chief of Police of Banning. We have been together for 27 years and married for 20 years. We have a daughter named Logan, who also helps with BPAL I joined the board to help out with daily tasks and organization. I have had the pleasure to get to know many of the kids from BPAL and G.R.E.A.T. I think BPAL makes a difference and I have seen it help many of the kids. I am very glad to be a part of it.
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Dania Gutierrez
Secretary
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My name is Dania Gutierrez; I am currently employed by the City of Banning Police Department as a Records Clerk. I am also a BPAL Director. I enjoy the BPAL program very much. Spending time with the kids from this community give me joy. My goal is to inspire kids to reach for the stars and appreciate the little things in life.
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Valerie Menifee (Monroe)
Director
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Currently Being Submitted
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Diane Benhar
Director
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My education background was literature, which involved with educators and students. By involving the activities, my nature fulfill my teaching credential. I gave up my career to become a Mother, BPAL give me a new live, new hope, and new visions.
By giving the community , I received a bigger reward in return. Watching a group of new generations grow, bring me joy and happiness, to see them accomplish the tasks that was given. I am here, in the community, to support and oversee the social well being of my children peers.
One can make a difference……….
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Sean McMurray
Director
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My name is Sean McMurray, Coordinator of Student Support Services for the Banning Unified School District. I joined BPAL because of what they do for kids and believe strongly that all kids need a chance to be able to play sports. Many soccer and basketball leagues cost well into the $300 range when you average in uniforms and transportation. BPAL provides families in our community with a cost free program that benefits kids and the community as a whole.
I having been working in Banning for eight years and would not leave mainly due to some of the great people in our community. I taught Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and Web Design for five years at Banning High School and then came to the district office to take on new challenges. I love to travel and I am into Military Aviation.
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