Last month, several members of Sweethearts for Soldiers appeared on the Fox News Morning Show in Washington DC. They had almost no room to move around, but its all good.

Sweethearts for Soldiers, an organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale boosting and entertainment-type services to our men and women in uniform, is pleased to announce that it has been granted 501(c)(3) status by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS has classified Sweethearts for Soldiers as a public charity, which allows any donations or contributions received to be fully tax-deductible. Questions regarding any charitable contributions should be directed to a tax advisor.

Sweethearts for Soldiers was founded by two former NFL Cheerleaders, Bari Yonkers and Tonya Helman, in 2006 They wanted to give other former professional cheerleaders a unique way to continue their support for the troops, from the sidelines to the frontlines. The volunteer-led organization produces an annual troop charity calendar, boosting morale stateside and overseas with appearances and their variety tours to men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

Tonya Helman, President/CEO/Cofounder said, “We are so excited about receiving this wonderful opportunity and it will give us the ability to raise more money for our mission, to brighten the day of every troop overseas. The 501(c)(3) status will give us the chance to provide a tax deduction to our donors which will help us bring in more donations from individuals wanting to support their troops and sponsorships from businesses, allowing us to make 2010 the year we reach every troop deployed overseas with our charity calendar and Entertainment Tours!”

“Receiving our 501(c)(3) status was a wonderful start to the new year. When someone donates to our organization, they get the benefit of a tax deduction for themselves and the benefit of knowing their money goes directly into producing top notch entertainment for the troops. Their donation also lets service members know they are appreciated and not forgotten about” adds Bari Yonkers, Cofounder and Vice President of Events.

Donald Wells, Vice President of Marketing, said “Receiving the 501(c)(3) status not only makes it known that we are here 100% for the troops, but it allows us to get funding and donations to make it possible to achieve our mission. Our donors are now able to get a tax credit for their generosity.”

[Sweethearts for Soldiers]

By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire

After San Diego’s 11th straight win — this time with backups! — second-year Charger Girl Tonya believes even Vegas is underestimating her team’s Super Bowl heat. Even if it does have to face the Patriots.

On a Sunday when seemingly every AFC game had potential playoff implications, one Week 17 matchup truly didn’t. The Chargers, already locked in as that conference’s No. 2 seed, rested several stars, and the Redskins, playing for pride (again), stuck with their starters. In a season so smiled-upon you could call them the Charmers, was it any surprise that second-string QB Billy Volek’s last-minute TD pass delivered a 23-20 San Diego victory?

Yet Coach Norv Turner, fired by Washington ten years ago, wasn’t the only ex-Redskin smiling. Thanks to a couple of cross-country moves, Charger Girls captain Tonya has also cheered for the Cardinals and ‘Skins. “I’ve been called a free agent,” she jokes. She has another team, too. A Navy surviving spouse, Tonya co-founded Sweethearts for Soldiers, a nonprofit group of former NFL Cheerleaders and NBA Dancers that performs morale-boosting shows all over the globe. “We go from the sidelines to the front lines to support our true heroes, the troops,” she explains. Now working on an MBA, this go-getting Web development company owner has equally ambitious goals for the 13-3 Bolts.

ESQUIRE: When San Diego lost at home to Denver to fall to 2-3 way back in October, did you have any notion the team would finish the season winning 11 straight?

TONYA: Wow. We try to be as optimistic as possible, but a winning season and playoffs were what we hoped for. Getting the offense to gel and getting the defense back up were the main things on our minds. The cheerleaders are really excited. That game against the Bengals a couple weeks ago was so loud it was incredible. I told the rookies on my line, “This is how a playoff game is.”

ESQ: With playoff position secured, you don’t want guys getting rusty, but you also don’t want them getting hurt — like the Pats losing Wes Welker to a knee injury. How’d you feel about Turner keeping stars like Shawne Merriman and Vincent Jackson off the field today?

T: Well, they actually have injuries that need to heal. Philip Rivers and LT played early, but we didn’t want them getting hurt either. So that was a great call. For team morale and momentum, this win really put us over the top. It’s nice to end on a high note, and go into the playoffs with the second seed and a bye.

ESQ: LT had his first sub-thousand-yard season. Merriman had just four sacks. What’s been the key to piling up wins with two of the team’s most visible stars struggling a bit?

T: Consistency on both sides of the ball. We are always there. Rivers and Jackson connect week after week. LT maybe held back a couple of times, but he’s healthy and he’ll be there for the playoffs. Norv Turner has made all the right calls this year, and the stars have aligned in our favor.

ESQ: Besides Pro Bowl snub Jackson, who else doesn’t get enough credit for one of the best seasons in Chargers history?

T: On defense, we’ve been incredible, from Stephen Cooper to Eric Weddle to Kevin Burnett. It’s hard to pick out one player because so many have contributed. Look at the game today — our second string steps up and we still pull off a win. That just shows how much heart and passion and drive and talent we’ve got. And that makes 18 straight wins in December for Rivers.

ESQ: Speaking of Rivers — great, or really, really great?

T: I would have to say amazing. Over-the-top fantastic MVP. Each year he gets better and better. This will be our fourth consecutive AFC West championship. And beating the Redskins, I guess you can give us an NFC East title as well — we beat all their teams this season. Just a great team leader who gets the job done above and beyond — knowing where he is, what call he needs to make, being patient in the pocket. He hit his career high in passing yards this year.

ESQ: Which playoff team keeps you up at night?

T: You don’t want to overlook the Colts, but for this team, I would have to say the Pats, just because of our history with them. They’ve knocked us out twice in the last three years. If we face them again, with Welker out, hopefully we can take advantage. We’ve had LT out in other years. Maybe it’s our turn.

ESQ: Vegas currently has the Chargers at 4-to-1 to win the Super Bowl, behind only the Colts and the Saints. Are the oddsmakers getting it right?

T: Four-to-1?! I believe this year is our year. We’ve got everyone healthy — LT, Jackson, Antonio Gates, Merriman. I feel really optimistic, and I hope that doesn’t jinx us. Look at the Saints, going in with three straight losses, and the Colts going in with two straight losses. We’re going in with an 11-game winning streak. As long as we keep our heads in the game and our emotions streamlined, we can go all the way.

ESQ: Last but not least, both you and fellow Charger Girl Casie have fantastic abs. What’s your secret?

T: It’s having to have a beach body all year round! With 365 days of sunshine, you can’t afford to put on winter weight. I was on the beach on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. They did a poll, and 10 percent of NFL players picked the Chargers as the team they’d want to play for. Of course it’s a great organization, but I think our geographical area factored in as well. We also have the hottest dance team in the NFL. And now we have the hottest team in the NFL. Both are living up to our weather.

[Tonya at Chargers.com]

From MyFOXDC.com

Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar are just a few of the places our guests have traveled to show their support for U.S. soldiers.

“Sweethearts for Soldiers” is a group of twenty-eight women representing more than twenty major professional football and basketball teams.

They provide a ninety minute family style variety entertainment show to the men and women of the armed forces.

Donald Wells, director of marketing of “Sweethearts for Soldiers” and some of the sweethearts, joined us with more.

[Sweethearts for Soldiers]

By Kathy Acosta
Jacksonville.com

Three former Jacksonville Jaguars Roar cheerleaders are giving back to the U.S. military.

Orange Park resident Melissa George, Mandarin resident Missy Metz and Southside resident Cheryl O’Brien are three of 28 members of a nonprofit, California-based organization called Sweethearts for Soldiers.

Sweethearts for Soldiers providesmorale-boosting entertainment, including singing, dancing and interactive games, for the military in the United States and abroad. The organization also produces an annual calendar for the troops. This year’s will be a World War II swimsuit-themed calendar.

To be a Sweetheart, the girls must have been cheerleaders for NFL or NBA teams and have a passion for helping the military.

Last year, O’Brien and four other girls completed a 10-day tour performing for troops in Iraq. This year is O’Brien’s second year as a Sweetheart. Her husband is in the military, allowing her to realize just how important it is to give back to the troops.

This year’s events will include Operation Rising Star this month and cheerleading camps for girls who have parents who are deployed. Operation Rising Star is an Army-based, American Idol-type contest for the troops and their families. The winner can receive a recording contract.

George, whose father was in the Navy, said the troops really appreciate them coming out because members of the military often become very involved in their everyday routines and are separated from their families.

“To have us go over there to see them have such a great reaction, it’s well worth it,” George said. “It’s the best memories of my life.”

This year will be Metz’s first year with Sweethearts. She has several family members and friends in the military.

“Our military needs to know that there are people here who are really very supportive of everything they do and very appreciative of everything they do for us,” she said.

Melissa George

Missy Metz

Cheryl O’Brien

[Sweethearts for Soldiers]

This just in:

Sweethearts for Soldiers Organization Announces Impressive 2010 Sweetheart Lineup

SAN DIEGO, CA October 1 2009 - - The California based non-profit organization, Sweethearts for Soldiers (SFS), have announced their 2010 Sweethearts. The list of 28 women from all over the world represents more than 20 major professional football and basketball teams. Among the list of women are some familiar faces; Jenni Croft from the Bachelor, Megan Clementi who is currently Miss Florida USA 2010 and Bonnie-Jill Laflin, actress and first ever female NBA scout for the LA Lakers.

The Sweethearts will volunteer their time to provide morale boosting and entertainment-type services to military personnel in all branches of the Armed Forces. The Sweethearts will further the mission of the organization by performing variety shows on tours to military bases and installations stateside and abroad, making appearances at various charity events, and producing a yearly calendar that will be a delivered to military personnel.

To be selected as a Sweetheart they must have performed with a professional major league football or basketball team and have a passion for volunteering their time to the military. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my time and I am proud to be a member of the 2010 Sweethearts for Soldiers”, says Anna Smith who is one of the new 2010 Sweethearts and cheered with teams from Seattle, Baltimore and Washington, DC.

Co-founder Tonya Helman states “The past two years have been extremely successful for the Sweethearts for Soldiers Organization. We were able to go Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar and bring some light to those serving overseas. Also by partnering with the Wounded Warrior Project in Jacksonville and Snowball Express in Phoenix for various events, we were able to combine our efforts for troop support and get the Sweethearts’ into the local community talking about our mission.” Helman has been on 14 tours and danced for three Professional football teams.

With the program growing so has the staff of the SFS organization. Donald Wells, former Director of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders is taking the helm as Director of Marketing and Sponsorships. Mr. Wells has been on a record setting 27 Department of Defense tours and has a true passion for the military. With his 16+ years of pro entertainment experience he plans to help take the Sweethearts to a level that they can reach hundreds of thousands every year. This year Mr. Wells worked with designer Deb Erickson of The Line Up to develop an official uniform for the Sweethearts. Each uniform will showcase the Sweethearts for Soldiers logo and is covered in hand placed crystals.

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(politely butting in)
Sweetheart Jenny shows off the new threads with a couple of Marines who I’m sure were dragged, kicking and screaming, into service for this photo. Semper Fi!
(~sasha)

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About the Sweethearts for Soldiers Organization
Sweethearts for Soldiers is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale boosting and entertainment-type services to our men and women in uniform. Sweethearts for Soldiers is not a government agency and relies on the generosity of the American people. For more information on Sweethearts for Soldiers or to donate please go to www.sweetheartsforsoldiers.org or contact:
Donald Wells – Marketing Division
Donald@sweetheartsforsoldiers.org
(240) 876-3014

The “Sweethearts for Soldiers” idea was conceived and put into action by Bari Yonkers and Tonya Helman in 2006. They are two former and current NFL cheerleaders who wanted to give other former NFL Cheerleaders and NBA Dancers a unique way to continue their support for the troops. The “Sweethearts for Soldiers” do this by producing a annual charity calendar, boosting morale stateside and overseas with their variety tours, and continually giving back to those who fight for their country on a daily basis.

[Sweethearts for Soldiers]

I got an email from Donald Wells reminding me that the deadline for applying to Sweethearts for Soldiers is September 20th. That means there are only three days left for the chance to become a Sweetheart and represent the Sweethearts for Soldiers Non-Profit Organization.  If you are a former NFL Cheerleader or NBA Dancer looking for an opportunity to continue to support the troops, this is your chance.

Sweethearts on their 2008 Handshake Tour of Kuwait and Iraq

The new Sweethearts will be announced on October 1st at SweetheartsForSoldiers.org and will debut the new Official Sweethearts uniform designed by Donald and Deb Erickson from The Line Up. Deb and Donald have been working together creating unique and trend setting uniforms and costumes for 14 years now and Donald tells us that the Sweethearts uniform is AMAZING!!!!

For complete information and  details visit www.sweetheartsforsoldiers.org

And why is Donald emailing us on behalf of Sweethearts and what’s going on with him:

What’s going on with me? I haven’t been this happy in years…. just after leaving the Redskins I started working as a Defense Contractor and focusing on a program that taught troops the Irregular Warfare Program for the Air Force. Yes, I was doing war type stuff - it’s crazy how I got into all this. After that program ended I took a position as Director of Government Programs for a company in VA called EarthWalk and work daily with the military on various projects. Having watched Bari and Tonya create this program and my love for all those fighting for our country I knew whenever I left the Redskins I would want to work with them. Just a short time after me leaving the Redskins, they started the process to become a Non-Profit that’s when I jumped on board and became the Director of Marketing/Sponsorships. My main focus is on creating a world wide brand for the Sweethearts and of course being able to do what was always the greatest part of my job, entertain the troops all over the world. Having personally been on 27 tours I consider myself an expert in Entertaining our troops, I am thrilled to be apart of a program that doesn’t have the drama of dealing with upper management that doesn’t understand why we do what we do. Sweethearts for Soldiers is able to reach out far greater than I ever would have dreamed possible when I was with the NFL to those in the front lines fighting for our freedoms and say “Thanks, we love you for it”. The sky is the limit and the Sweethearts will be known as the Cheerleaders that are here 100% for our Troops. Through calendars, photo’s, autograph signings and of course the Sweethearts for Soldiers Show we will being smiles to thousands and thousands of faces all over the world!

A personal note: Way back in 2004 when I first started the blog and no one knew who I was, I got an email from Donald. I saw his name in the “from” field and I got really nervous. I knew who he was, and I figured he was sending me an email to cease and desist with the blog or he’d sick the Redskins IP lawyers on me. I opened the email and it was a polite note telling me that I’d made an error on the blog. I made the correction and emailed Donald back to let him know it was fixed. He replied telling me he thought I was doing a great job and he was going to forward the blog to all the other NFL Cheerleader Directors. That was a huge step for the blog in gaining acceptance in the world of Pro Cheerleading. Thanks, Donald!

…or you COULD be!

Heads-up NFL and NBA dance team alumni: Sweethearts for Soldiers is recruiting!

Those of you who have been with us for a while are familiar with Sweethearts for Soldiers. For those who aren’t, here’s a little background: SFS was founded a couple of years ago by Bari Yonkers and Tonya Helman. At the time, both were recently-retired NFL Cheerleaders (Bari from the AZ Cardinals, and Tonya from the Cardinals and then the Redskins. Tonya wasn’t quite ready to hang up the boots. She’s currently a San Diego Charger Girl.) Both of them really missed participating in the the philanthropic activities they were involved with during their cheerleading days. They wanted to find a way to continue those efforts. They were particularly interested in supporting our military, so they put their heads together and created Sweethearts for Soldiers.


Tonya and Bari

Currently, there are about 20 Sweethearts. They visit military bases in the US, and every so often go on tour to visit bases abroad. Sometimes it’s a handshake tour, and sometimes they put together a variety show to entertain the troups. In addition to that, they produce an annual Sweetheart Calendar (non-swimsuit, for you modest types!). Proceeds from calendar sales go to various military-related charities.

You can read their newsletter to get an idea what else they’re up to.

Signing autographs

Showing their autographed Sweethearts calendars

If I understand the workings correctly, this isn’t a formal dance team, like the others we feature on this site. The Sweethearts don’t rehearse every week or perform regularly as one big group. I think what happens is when an event is scheduled or someone requests an appearance, then Bari and Tonya see who is available to participate.

It’s a good way to keep performing, but without the insane schedule of an NFL or NBA dance team. Personally, I think it’s a great idea, and certainly a great cause.

Right, so up until now, the Sweethearts were all former NFL Cheerleaders. Things have been going so well, Tonya and Bari are looking to expand. They are recruiting this month and the field is open to all former NBA and NFL dancers. Click here to read about the audition process.