Awards and Rankings

Ballard Spahr Chair Mark Stewart Honored by Police Athletic League of Philadelphia

June 2, 2023

Ballard Spahr Chair Mark Stewart was honored by the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia (PAL) at its 76th Annual Awards Gala, an event that raised over $1.02 million for youth programs.

“This is a tremendous honor, and I am grateful, but the real heroes of PAL are the officers and volunteers who, day in and day out, come to the PAL centers to work with the kids, provide mentorship, and make a meaningful impact in their lives,” said Mr. Stewart, who has been a PAL board member since 2011. “I salute their dedication and their commitment to improving the future prospects of these deserving young people, and I am tremendously proud to support PAL.”

Mr. Stewart was honored alongside Chris Gheysens, CEO of Wawa and the Wawa Foundation, and Maria Pacifico, President of Pacifico Auto Group. Ernest Pollard received the Lew Klein PAL Officer of the Year award.

“Our organization thrives thanks to the tireless work of our board members, volunteers, and supporters,” PAL Executive Director April Thomas-Jones said. “Mark’s service to PAL, and to the young people of Philadelphia, has been nothing short of exemplary, and we’re so pleased to have the opportunity to recognize him.”

Since its founding in 1947, PAL has improved the lives of Philadelphia’s underserved youth, providing athletic, learning, and cultural programs that promote positive character development and improve educational outcomes. PAL’s 15 community centers and three school sites help young people build positive and enduring relationships with Philadelphia police officers, while keeping them safe and offering enriching experiences. Some 11,000 children between the ages of six and 18, 95 percent of whom identify as low-income, are enrolled in PAL’s 100 percent free programs.

Maulin Vidwans, a partner in Ballard Spahr’s national Finance Department, serves alongside Mr. Stewart on the PAL Board.

To view Mr. Stewart’s honoree video, please visit PAL’s YouTube page.

For media inquiries, please contact Will Ashenmacher at 612.371.5792.