Cheerleaders Sizzle For Charity

Cheerleader of the Year finalists star in this Charity Calendar photo shoot
TripleM.com (Radio station in Sydney, Australia)
August 14, 2013

Put NRL’s top Cheerleaders in lingerie and you’ll likely to get noticed.

Well that’s what happened when Triple M went behind the scenes with some of the Cheerleader of the Year Finalists on a photo shoot for a Charity Calendar.

Panthers, Broncos, Titans, Tigers, Raiders, Eels, Knights and Sharks cheerleaders donned the finest lingerie from Mary Holland for the shoot.

The Calendar will be launched at the red carpet presentation night for the Cheerleader of the Year event at The Ivy in Sydney.

And for some of the Cheerleaders it might be the only award their team wins this season!

[Photos on the Mary Holland Facebook page]

Denver Broncos Cheerleaders to Release Calendar, Raise Money for Charity

From 9News.com

Cheerleaders, swimsuits, go-karts, and charity. Sounds like four good reasons to have a get together.

The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders will host their 2014 Swimsuit Calendar Release Party and 5th Annual Race to Keep Kids on Track on Saturday, Aug. 17, at The Track at Centennial.

All attendees will receive the cheerleader’s brand new 2014 Swimsuit calendar, as well as food and beverages. Racers and teams can also register to speed around in 60 mph go-karts for prizes.

More than 700 fans attended in 2012 and $28,000 was raised for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.

The 5th year celebration comes with a new twist: Fans may purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a vacation for two to accompany the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders on their Calendar Shoot in Summer of 2014. This year the ladies went to Cabo San Lucas for their photo shoot.

Funds raised through the raffle and Calendar Release Party will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is to inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Vikings Take A Plunge for a Good Cause

Every year the Special Olympics hosts a series of “Polar Plunges” to raise funds for the organization. The events take place in February and March all across the country. “Plungers” have to raise a certain amount of money for the “privilege”* of freezing their butts off. Non-plungers can also donate money just to watch. From what I could tell, the object of the game is to jump in, get to the ladder as fast as your frostbitten little legs can go, and jump to the nearest hot tub before hypothermia sets in.

Last weekend was Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s turn, and the group of Plungers included Minnesota Vikings alumni, coaching staff, Victor the Viking, and four Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. I believe it was Mandy, Kaylee, Lauryn, and Blair, but I won’t swear to it.

** Watch the video
** Photo gallery

From what I know about the Vikings Cheerleaders, and admittedly, it’s not that much, I can tell you a few things for certain:

  1. They had way more volunteers for this appearance than could be reasonably accommodated at the event
  2. This was a non-paid appearance, but it didn’t occur to any of them to ask for a hazard bonus
  3. Not one of them blinked when it was explained that they were to jump in with arms uncovered, midriffs bare, hair fully styled, and poms ‘a shakin.

*Not that I don’t applaud their efforts to raise money for an extremely worthy cause, but let’s be real, ok? You have to be out of your mind to do this. And to do it in Wisconsin. In WINTER. In the immortal words of Whitney Houston “HELL to the no.”

From left: Mandy, Kaylee, Lauryn, and Blair

Mandy gets extra points for Jumping with Style (second only to the cannonball to her left) and for being the only one to go completely under water (although I suspect that was unintentional.)
Lauryn's face says it all...
...and it's still talking
Quick! Everyone into the hot tub!
The aftermath: all smiles.

Volunteer with Sweethearts for Soldiers

The Sweethearts for Soldiers organization is making a few changes that will make it easier for interested volunteers to get involved. Here’s the latest from Bari:

Hi Alumni,

The Sweethearts for Soldiers Organization is pleased to announce our NEW programs aimed at giving back to our military and their families. In an effort to utilize our talents to the fullest potential, we have decided to dedicate our programs to helping dependents of our active duty and reservists… AKA, their kids!!! In addition to our annual “Sweet N’ Your Day” gift basket give-a-way that we do for the female troops, we have added a Sweetheart Mentorship Program and have expanded on our Cheer camp program.

With the addition of these new programs, you don’t need to be able to jet set off on a two week entertainment tour anymore, you can participate in your own city or from your computer. It’s all about giving back in any way possible right? So, if you are looking for a new and exciting way to show our military kids that we care… email me Bari@sweetheartsforsoldiers.org to get a volunteer application.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

-Bari Yonkers-
Co-Founder
Sweethearts for Soldiers Organization

Sweethearts Mentorship Program

Purpose: To inspire and develop the next generation of cheerleaders and dancers by utilizing technology to mentor girls ages 13-18. To create a positive outlet for female military dependants who may be facing parental deployments, long separations or the daily strain of the military lifestyle.

Time Commitment: Estimated two hours per month

Your Mission
o Mentor a female military child for three months on cheerleading/dance related topics to include but not limited to: tryout tips, jump/kick tips, cheer hair/make-up tips, etc
o You must commit to setting up and attending either three 10 minute Skype sessions or three 10 minute phone calls with your Sweetheart mentee (one 10 minute session per month)
o Send out goal sheet to mentee, receive back from them and review their goals (we will provide the goal sheet template)
o Create a plan to help them improve their goals as related to cheer/dance
o Check special email weekly and respond to mentee’s questions (we will create an email for you – they will not have your personal email)
o Must commit to three month increment
o Send out Sweethearts fact sheet about yourself (we will create this for you)
o Represent the SFS Organization to the highest of standards

Sweet N’ Your Spirit Cheer Experience

Purpose: To inspire and develop the next generation of cheerleaders and dancers through an up close and personal, hands on cheer champ experience.

Time Commitment: This depends on size of camp, location and travel involved

Your Mission
o Conduct cheer/dance camp on military bases Nationwide and Worldwide
o Create a positive, encouraging environment for military children (boys and girls can attend camps)
o Represent the SFS Organization to the highest of standards

Titans Cheerleaders to host ‘Cheers to Robin’ benefit

Stacie Kinder
Titansonline.com
May 16, 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans Cheerleaders will host the 5th Annual Cheers to Robin fundraiser benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on Saturday, May 19th. The party will begin at 8 p.m. at Buffalo Billiards on Second Avenue.

Cheers to Robin celebrates the life of Robin Roach Towe, a former Nashville Kats Cheerleader who lost her battle to leukemia in 2002. The money raised goes toward the Woman of the Year Campaign of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to directly fund medical research.

The event is open to the public, and the $50 ticket buys each patron a meet and greet with the 2012 Titans Cheerleaders, one free drink, appetizers, door prizes, live music and more. Several Titans players are also scheduled to attend along with many former Nashville Kats players and coaches. This year’s party is also serving as the 15-year reunion of the Nashville Kats.

Cheers to Robin: A Party with the Titans Cheerleaders
Benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
8 p.m. May 19 at Buffalo Billiards, Second Avenue

Tickets: http://cheerstorobin.eventbrite.com

The society’s key priorities will ensure that: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.

Bruins Ice Girls Grow One for the Team

Boston Bruins: BOSTON, MA – The “Bruins Beard-A-Thon” is underway and fans are invited to grow their own playoff beards for the duration of the team’s 2012 Stanley Cup playoff run. The “Bruins Beard-A-Thon” gives Bruins fans the opportunity to show their support for the team and raise money for the Boston Bruins Foundation.

The hockey playoff beard is an age-old tradition for players participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fans can join in on the tradition by “growing one for the team” and inviting family, friends and business associates to make a pledge towards their playoff beards.

Fans can create their “Bruins Beard-A-Thon” profile by uploading their photo at www.beardathon.com/bruins. Participants can choose to grow their own beard and update their growth throughout the playoffs or they can grow their beard virtually by choosing the ‘Build-A-Beard’ option, giving women and children an opportunity to get h

Beard growers may pledge themselves by making a donation and their friends and family can also support their efforts at anytime by making a one-time pledge (minimum $10). Throughout the playoffs, participants who raise the most money will have the opportunity to win playoff tickets and a grand prize will be awarded to the overall top fundraiser.

The “Bruins Beard-A-Thon” has raised $160,000 to date and was the NHL’s top raising team during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs will mark the fourth year of the Beard-A-Thon program. Since its inception, more than $1,000,000 has been raised for individual team charities from over 16,000 participants league-wide.

All Aboard the Polar Express

by Karina Henderson
Thunder.NBA.com
12/20/2011

Video
Photos

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.

Lakers Holiday Party For Kids

Jacquelyn, Natasha, Jenn, Anncell, Linette, Brilane, Kelsey, and Shaylene

By Peter Dorsch
Lakers.com
Dec 20, 2011

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.

PHOTO GALLERY]

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

[Article cont’d]

Photos: Laker Girls Help Foothill Unity Feed Needy Families

Veteran Laker Girl Jessica

Nathan McIntire
Monrovia Patch
Nov 22, 2011

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.