To celebrate the end of the school year, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Marietta hosted Marietta PAL, a local nonprofit and division of the national Police Athletic League, on Wednesday, May 18 for an action-packed evening dedicated to the program’s students. Area officers and 20 students, who participate in the organization’s after school program to further enhance their studies and enjoy sponsored recreation, wrapped up the school year with a burst of adrenaline on the tracks at one of the area’s top entertainment destinations.
“The evening at Andretti surpassed all of our expectations,” said Daneea Badio-McCray, executive director at Marietta PAL. “It afforded our after school participants the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned night for fun, excitement and memories.”
An organization designed to utilize sports as a basis for positive interaction between police officers and area youth, Marietta PAL is dedicated to providing opportunity for students in the Cobb County community. Founded by Lt. Michael Goins of the Marietta Police Department in 2007, Marietta PAL has served more the 6,000 students through its sports programs and community events. Still growing, the organization sponsors a daily after school program and summer camp at the Lawrence Street Recreation Centre in Marietta. The program also sponsors the Marietta Sixth Grade Academy, as well as training in boxing, martial arts and track and field.
“We strive to connect with our community on many different levels, and we were eager to partner with Marietta PAL when we learned about their mission,” said Randy Schneider, general manager at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Marietta, which opened in October 2015. “We wanted to help make this a memorable night for the students and the officers, so instead of just hosting the group, we donated the entire event!”
The event saw a total of 20 students, two officers and two department employees. As part of the complete experience, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games provided guests with access to a variety of the attraction’s offerings, including arcade games, bowling, laser tag, and cart racing.
“As the community continues to grow, we hope to provide opportunities for students and neighbors much like we did with Marietta PAL,” said Schneider. “We want to stay connected and continue to help bring light to our area whether that means partnering up for a cause, hosting an event or donating an entire experience.”
About Marietta Police Athletic League (PAL)
The Marietta Police Athletic League (PAL) is a member of the National Police Athletics/Activities League whose programs are designed to utilize sports as a basis for positive interaction between police officers and kids provides kids a foundation for good decision making. Marietta PAL currently sponsors basketball, boxing, martial arts, track, after school and summer camp programs. For more information regarding Marietta PAL, call 770-794-5425.
About Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Andretti Indoor Karting and Games is headquartered in Roswell, Ga. and was established in 2001. Their locations feature high-speed super-karts, European-style tracks, a state of the art arcade, XD motion theater, racing simulators, ropes course and attractions such as cosmic rock wall, zip line, laser tag and bowling. Each location is also home to The Andretti Grill, a full bar/ restaurant capable of serving our 10,000+ square feet of event and meeting space.
In addition to the indoor facility in Roswell, Ga., the company also owns and operates the Andretti Thrill Park in Melbourne, FL. This outdoor park opened in 1999, and it features 5 go-kart tracks, miniature golf, laser tag, rock wall, ropes course, family spinning coaster, batting cages, Andretti Challenge super-karts, paddle boats, kiddie rides and the largest arcade in the space coast. For more information please visit www.andrettithrillpark.com
Since 1999 the Andretti facilities have entertained more than 13 million guests.
