by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
Some people will do any job for the right money, and then there are those who choose jobs solely to help better their community.
Chris Edwards, the new director of resource development for the Police Athletic League (PAL), is one of the latter.
“We cannot be more thrilled with Chris and all that she will bring to the table at PAL,” said Lt. Buddy Hayes, executive director of PAL. “She has the experience we were looking for with this position. We are just lucky to have her.”
PAL is a local non-profit youth agency. Since its incorporation in 1972, it has provided programs to youth between the ages of 7 and 17. Through various athletic, educational and mentoring programs, the organization works to deter crime and boost self esteem.
Edwards began working with non-profits while attending the University of Georgia. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Edwards went to work as a whitewater rafting guide, a summer job she had while in school.
“When I got back from college, I really had no plan and that lead me to non-profits,” said Edwards. “I literally stumbled into fundraising.”
Before going to PAL, Edwards was the corporate market director for the American Heart Association, the convention and meeting/planning assistant to the chairman of LandStar System, Inc., and most recently, development manager for WJCT.
“I took the job at PAL partially because it was an opportunity to advance professionally,” she said. “I have the responsibility of running a department, and the appeal of working with children and the sheriff’s office was enticing. It’s like you don’t realize your looking for something until it finds you.”
Since she joined the organization in January, Edwards has raised almost $50,000.
“It’s a mission that when I ask for money, I truly believe in what I’m doing,” she said.
The money she’s raised so far is just the beginning of her goal to increase public awareness in the business community.
“I plan to reach my goal one person at a time. The staff is embarking on personal face-to-face visits,” she said.
Edwards said a meeting with CSX representatives will hopefully result in a partnership dedicated to building another PAL center in Jacksonville.
“It will be a way for us to interact in a new community,” she said.
She also credits much of the success of PAL to its board of directors and the sheriff’s advisory board.
In addition to raising funds for PAL, Edwards is pursuing her master’s degree in public administration at the University of North Florida. She has taken this semester off to concentrate on her new job.
“Continuing my education has always been a personal goal, but it would have been hard to juggle a new position while going to school.”
Edwards is also very active in her church and she has just resigned as chair of the Justice Coalition.
“Working with the Coalition was a conflict of interest so I do some behind-the-scenes work with them now,” she said.
Edwards said she plans to continue working with the non-profit sector throughout her career.
“No matter how bad your day is, you know you’re doing something good for the community,” she said.