WARREN, Mich. -- When De La Salle Collegiate junior Will Smythe and his younger brother cleaned out their baseball gear this fall, they had a pile of pants, bats, cleats, practice gear, and helmets.

Smythe realized that they could outfit a whole team, and decided to research a charity that could make the best use of the equipment. He settled on the Sheriff Police Athletic League (PAL) in Pontiac, near his family’s home in Rochester Hills, and contacted its operations coordinator, Justin Daniels.

Smythe, who chose PAL because he enjoys sports, said Daniels was thrilled about the idea. 

“If kids could have anything, they would ask for sports apparel.” Smythe said. “It makes a kid feel good to be dressed in the right clothes and shoes when playing a sport. Look good, feel good, play good.” 

Working with the school’s Campus Ministry office, Smythe set up collection boxes in the main hallway this month. The gently used equipment for boys and girls ages 4-17 will assist PAL with its free youth sports programming. Pontiac’s PAL has served over 1,000 youth since its 2015 founding. Law enforcement officers and community partners also offer workouts and educational trips, as well as mentoring and enrichment programs. 

“Basketball shoes that are mainly used inside are often perfectly good for use by someone else once outgrown,” Smythe said. “The same with so much of the sports gear that we all have. Bringing smiles to kids’ faces, and a place of belonging that is a positive force in their lives, means everything.”

Smythe is no stranger to community service. He spent time this summer with a group of friends that called themselves Summer Impact. They regularly volunteered at the Lighthouse of Oakland County in Pontiac, a nonprofit that provides shelter to the homeless, a food pantry, housing assistance, and more. 

A three-year member of the Pilots basketball team - he’s a shooting guard on the varsity - Smythe is also a member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, the Stockmarket Club, and serves as a student ambassador with the Admissions office. He carries a 4.47 grade-point average - second in his class - with Advanced Placement classes as Calculus, Biology, and Human Geography. 

“Will Smythe epitomizes the student athlete,” PIlots coach Greg Esler said. “He would like to play college basketball in the Ivy League, and has already been heavily recruited.” 

Smythe is interested in the University of Pennsylvania, and Esler says Eastern Michigan University has already offered a full ride. 

New and gently-used athletic clothing and equipment can be dropped off at any time at the Sheriff PAL Pontiac Sub-Station at 110 East Pike Street in Pontiac. 

For more information, visit sheriffpal.com.