Cheerleaders Are Sweethearts For Troops

Nonprofit Supports Military Organizations, Raises Money For Troops
News4Jax.com
November 20, 2009
[Photos]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaguars fans are used to seeing the Roar cheerleaders on the sidelines dancing for the team.

But on Friday, the women and other NFL and NBA cheerleaders used their dance skills to sweeten the lives of troops stationed overseas. The cheerleaders are part a unique nonprofit group called Sweethearts for Soldiers.

“They can go to care packages that we send to troops overseas,” cheerleader Jill Cottingham said. “You know, just the little things. Just a little piece of home.”

All 28 sweethearts are former professional cheerleaders who could use a break from dancing.

“Sweethearts doesn’t have quite the commitment that cheering for an NFL team does,” cheerleader Cheryl O’Brien said.

The women team up with other military support organizations to raise money for the soldiers, and they even make appearances stateside and overseas to boost morale.

“We saw the sacrifice that these troops put in,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien, whose husband is in the military, traveled to Qatar as a sweetheart and put on a full-on variety show. The most amazing part, she said, was hearing the troops’ stories.

“It was completely rewarding what we did, and we came back with more passion to serve and give to these people who’ve given so much to us,” O’Brien said.

The sweethearts put out a calendar every year.

“We’re all going to be featured in a World War II pin-up theme,” cheerleader Melissa George said.

You could say it’s eye candy for a cause, but it raises money, and it’s a sweet way for some soldiers keep track of the date.

The 18-month 2010-2011 calendar will come out in June.

Seven of 28 sweethearts are homegrown. They’re former Roar cheerleaders and do a lot of work with local military support organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project.

You can visit their Web site at www.sweatheartsforsoldiers.com to learn more and get a copy of the calendar.