At Members First Credit Union, we believe in shining a light on organizations that are making a real difference in our community. Through our Illuminating Change program, we’re proud to feature the Manchester Police Athletic League (MPAL) as our September spotlight!
Read on to learn more about MPAL’s mission and how you can get involved with some of their upcoming initiatives to support local youth and honor fallen heroes.
This Month’s Illuminating Change Partner: MPAL
MPAL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1992 with a goal to give at-risk kids mentorship and a positive safe haven during the non-school hours of afternoons, early evenings, and summertime. At its core, MPAL’s mission is simple yet powerful: give kids a safe place to grow, keep them off the streets, and help shape them into confident, caring citizens—inside the building and out in the community.
A critical part of the mission is to keep services completely free. Fortunately, the Manchester community supports MPAL with donations, volunteering, and sponsorships. Several fundraising events throughout each year also contribute to MPAL’s support.
How MPAL Programs Support Manchester Kids
The school day may end when the last bell rings, but for many kids in Manchester, the learning, mentoring, and growth continue at the Manchester Police Athletic League (MPAL). With class back in session, MPAL’s after-school programs are ready to welcome students into a safe and supportive environment where they can explore sports, fitness, and educational opportunities while building strong connections with local police officers and other trusted adult mentors.
If you visit MPAL in the afternoon this fall at their 409 Beech Street location, you’ll see students earning Girl Scouts badges, sparring in a boxing class, measuring and mixing in the kitchen, and learning skateboarding fundamentals from local Manchester skaters. The kids are having a blast as they learn, but just as importantly, they are connecting with police officers and other adult mentors and learning the values of respect, responsibility, and community.
These programs don’t just fill the hours between school and dinnertime—they give kids the confidence, guidance, and positive role models they need to thrive. And thanks to community support through events like the Footrace for the Fallen, MPAL can keep these life-changing opportunities free for the 600 local students they work with each year.
How MPAL Honors Fallen Heroes
Each September since 2007, MPAL holds the Footrace for the Fallen, a 5K race in Manchester that honors Manchester police officers with a focus on those who have died in the line of duty:
- Officer Michael Briggs (1971-2006)
- Officer Ralph W. Miller (1951-1976)
- Inspector William Moher (1864-1921)
- Sergeant Henry McAllister (1846-1895)
Proceeds from the footrace go to MPAL, so the event both recognizes heroes from the past and also invests in the future of local young people.
19th Annual Footrace for the Fallen 5K
Register for the 2025 Footrace and make a difference in your community. Members First is proud to sponsor this event each year, and sponsorship opportunities are still available.
- Date and time: Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
- Route: Manchester Police Department to Gill Stadium
- Parking: Gill Stadium
- Included in registration: race t-shirt, beer ticket (21+), race photos, finish line videos
Take the Next Step
When you lace up for the Footrace for the Fallen, you’re doing more than running or walking a 5K: you’re honoring the legacy of Manchester’s fallen officers and supporting the future of our city’s youth. Join us on September 28th—every step you’ll take helps MPAL keep kids safe, strong, and supported.
Click here to register for the 2025 Footrace for the Fallen.