FoxSports.com (Jan 5, 2011): Always willing to lend a helping hand, The Clippers Spirit dancers are a vital part of the Los Angeles community. Click here to check out the slide show.
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by Karina Henderson If you didn’t hear the sound of jingling silver bells Wednesday afternoon at Sooner Elementary, then you probably could have used a ride on “The Polar Express.” You would have had company on board the “train” when it left the school that afternoon: about 40 kids ranging from kindergarten to sixth grade (all dressed in their pajamas), a few fifth-grade “helper elves” and four Thunder Girls reading aloud the original Chris Van Allsburg book. The Thunder Girls joined this magical journey as part of the Thunder’s Reading Timeout program, presented by American Fidelity Assurance Company. “I walked in not really knowing what to expect, and it was incredible,” said Roy Bishop of American Fidelity. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” At the entrance to a classroom hall stood a locomotive and an overflowing toy car, with a fifth-grader stationed to punch each child’s ticket before they boarded for their journey. Inside, school staff transformed the narrow hallway into a train bound for the North Pole, just like in the book. The lights were covered, and Christmas lights mimicked starlight on the night train. Each seat was covered in red felt with gingerbread men and Christmas trees sewn on the back. Holiday music played softly, and train whistles blew quietly, as though in the distance. Frosted windows hung on the paper-wrapped walls with snowflakes and icicles and countryside views. Once each child took their seat on the train, Thunder Girls Alexis, Kelsey, LaTeshia and Sheri began to read the book about a child’s journey to meet Santa Claus. “This is just like the movie that we watched!” exclaimed one child after the story began.
Marybeth Gann, one of the teachers who set up the event, said this is the ninth year the school has created a “Polar Express” experience like this, but that they try to do a little more with it every year. This year’s biggest change was asking the Thunder Girls to take part. “We have so many fans of the Thunder basketball team here (that) we thought (there’s) nobody better than to ask the Thunder Girls to come and read our ‘Polar Express’ story this year,” said Gann. “The kids really, really look up to … anybody from Thunder Basketball. To get them to come out here – just the looks on (the kids’) faces, they were thrilled. It means so much, and I think we’ll be talking about this for the rest of the school year,” she added. When the ladies finished the story, which focuses on a gift of a bell from Santa’s sleigh, they asked the children to jingle the silver bells each had been given with their train ticket. The bells all jingled, and everyone heard their happy sounds – a sign, according to the book’s legend, that they still believed in Santa Claus. “I still hear my bell, and I’m actually going to be ringing it all day ‘cause I believe,” laughed LaTeshia. “The kids … are so excited about reading, which makes us excited to come out and read a book to them – and be a part of this awesome experience.” She noted that the transformation of the school into a storybook train created a richer environment for the kids to engage their imaginations. “I think they really thought they were on a train and they believed that they were going to the Polar Express, so it was really fun for us to see how engaged they were,” she added.  Jacquelyn, Natasha, Jenn, Anncell, Linette, Brilane, Kelsey, and Shaylene By Peter Dorsch More than sixty Los Angeles area children joined Lakers players, coaches, and staff for the Lakers Holiday Party for Kids as part of “A Season of Giving”, presented by East West Bank. Kids from the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley, Boys and Girls Club of Carson, as well as the Salesian Boys and Girls Club were treated to an afternoon of holiday fun. The kids met at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, for a holiday lunch that featured a kid friendly menu, a visit from the Laker Girls, and holiday themed activities. The kids dressed in their matching t-Shirts and Lakers themed Santa hats, enjoyed playing video games, decorating gingerbread cookies, and listening to seasonal music while holiday movies played in the background.  Shaylene, Kelsey, and Brilane  Natasha (I think) and Jacquelyn  Natasha, Jacquelyn, Jenn, and Linette  Jacquelyn, Jenn, Natasha, and Anncell  Veteran Laker Girl Jessica Nathan McIntire The Laker Girls and the Tournament of Roses Rose Queen and Rose Court joined volunteers Tuesday at Foothill Unity Center’s annual holiday food distribution event to pass out the makings of a Thanksgiving feast to needly local families. Held at the Arboretum in Arcadia, the center expected to give away boxes that included meat and all the trimmings to more than 1,500 families who registered for the drive. Joan Whitenack, Foothill Unity’s executive director, said the number of families fed by the center has doubled since 2007 as the continued slumping of the economy has forced more people to turn to charity to get through the holidays. “A lot of people who never needed help before are here,” she said. Police Chief Jim Hunt and several other members of the Monrovia Police Department were also on hand to help Tuesday. He said his job was easier this year because school was out and more students were volunteering their time. “We got all these students out helping us. Usually it’s just us old guys,” Hunt said. Four Laker Girls joined the effort as part of the annual “Season of Giving” program sponsored by East West Bank. The girls helped hand out turkeys and gave away autographed calendars. Emily Wang, the bank’s director of marketing, said she was impressed with how the distribution drive was organized. She said she plans on bringing the Laker Girls back next year and possibly some members of the team. “Next year, if there’s no lockout, we may have some players!,” she said, laughing. The L.A. Lakers bring their ‘Season of Giving’ to Long Beach Senior Center with Thanksgiving dinner. As much as they are missing the NBA action, Long Beach seniors got one fantastic benefit from the ongoing pro basketball lockout: a visit Thursday from L.A. Lakers coach Mike Brown, former star player A.C. Green and the Laker Girls. [Article continued...]  Dara and Teresa
The Sweethearts for Soldiers calendar is coming next month. Go here to learn how you can support this endeavor Tuesday was the San Diego Union-Tribune’s annual “Kids’ NewsDay.” The annual event is a fundraiser organized by the San Diego Union-Tribune for Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego. Local celebrities, including members of the San Diego Chargers and and Charger Girls, took to the streets to sell special $1 editions of the paper, which included articles about the hospital’s major advances and successes over the last year. This was the 22nd annual Kids NewsDay.
On October 16th, the squad had the honor of meeting Kyle Pepin, who’s request of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of MA and RI was to meet the Patriots Cheerleaders. The ladies then had the privilege of sharing the player tunnel with amazing breast cancer survivors.
To make the day even better, as October is recognized by the NFL as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the cheerleaders were wearing pink jerseys, pink wrist bands and proudly holding pink poms. Twelve amazing breast cancer survivors would be sharing the player tunnel with the squad for team introductions! As soon as the cheerleaders headed outside, they introduced themselves to the women and one gentleman who would be joining them, shared one of their poms and led them all the way to the 30 yard line to the cheers of supportive fans. For anyone who’s ever had the privilege of being on the field for a game, you’ll probably agree when I say that other than scoring a needed touchdown or winning a game, there’s no part of the game that’s more exciting than player intro’s. I’m thrilled that the survivors were able to participate in of the best parts of the game. So back to the unity circle… not only did we remember to be thankful for being a part of game day and for our fans, on October 16th, the Patriots Cheerleaders were reminded to be thankful for their health, for having the opportunity to meet Kyle and the amazing breast cancer survivors, and maybe most of all, to appreciate that on that day, they all made a difference in someone else’s life. It doesn’t get any better than that. Cheers! |
 
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The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island had phoned several weeks before stating that a young boy, Kyle Pepin, had chosen his wish, and that it was to meet all of the Patriots Cheerleaders! The ladies couldn’t have been more honored or excited! He was the cheerleaders’ number one fan and we instantly became his. After introducing themselves to Kyle one by one, the cheerleaders presented him with a personalized jersey, hat and a fun gift bag. I think Kyle’s favorite part was the photo op! His smile was bigger than the cheerleaders’. After meeting the squad he watched the game from his own viewing room at the stadium with his family and two cheerleaders. Kyle had a great day and the cheerleaders enjoyed every minute spent with him!