PAL heroes honored during Wawa Welcome America block party

INDEPENDENCE MALL (WPVI) -- Crowds gathered on Independence Mall Monday for the Fourth of July Block Party, part of the annual Wawa Welcome America festivities.

The party included a special celebration of everyday heroes.

It was held at Philadelphia's brand new Museum of the American Revolution, which, of course, honors some of the nation's oldest heroes.

The everyday heroes honored Monday are members of Philadelphia's Police Athletic League (PAL).

"They are someone that the kids see as a father figure or mother figure or big sister," said PAL representative Lt. Evelyn Cintron. "It's about the relationships they build."

PAL focuses on youth enrichment and educational programs that run through the summer.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney was in attendance as PAL was presented with a $10,000 check by Wawa.

"PAL is an organization that I call family, personally, because it gives me so many opportunities to do the things I love and just gets me involved in the community," said Daniel Schulke of Tacony.

Meanwhile, a couple of blocks away, performers were doing sound checks for other Block Party festivities on Independence Mall.

At 5 p.m. theatrical performers will grace the stage as part of "Broadway Philadelphia on Independence Mall," presented by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

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