A Cheer New York squad member shares the importance of community service.

by Joey Beebe, Cheer New York

I didn’t begin my life as a cheerleader and I certainly never thought I would get paid to be one, but that just goes to show how unexpected life can be.

I was a dancer, gymnast and runner in high school, which turned out to be the right combination of skills I needed to eventually become a cheerleader. One summer, my gymnastics coach invited me to go to cheerleading camp with her team as an assistant coach. I had a lot of catching up to do (I didn’t know a high-V from a Hurdler) but I caught on quickly. As it turned out, the skills I developed from other sports helped pave the way to my role as a lifelong cheerleader. In college, I tumbled for the basketball cheer team. But because I was so busy with my studies and other campus activities, I had to resign from the squad after my first year. I thought this was the end of my cheer career.

Fast-forward 10 years, when I moved to New York City to seek fame and glory. I was unemployed and trying to find ways to occupy my days, when one day I went to a tumbling class. The instructor pulled me aside to tell me about an organization called Cheer New York. I wasn’t that interested, but when I later saw a flyer at a local restaurant advertising their upcoming tryouts, I decided to give it a shot. When I showed up at the audition, my skills were rusty, but adequate. I figured I’d get in shape, gain a larger group of friends, and have something to fill up my spare time. What I didn’t count on was that joining this organization would make a difference in not only my own life, but in countless others’ lives as well.

Cheer New York is a charity organization whose goal is to improve the lives of people in New York City. We raise money by cheerleading, collecting donations and putting our profits into a fund that’s awarded to a local charity. We’ve awarded monetary gifts to organizations like Haven of Hope, the NYC Alzheimer’s Association, the Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation and others. Twice a year, after a team nomination and vote, we rotate the charities that we support. Currently we’re working to raise money for Sylvia’s Place, a shelter for teens at the Metropolitan Community Church of New York. In addition to raising money for charities, we also participate in various community events like the YAI Central Park Challenge, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the NYC ING Marathon, and the NYC Gay Pride Parades.

To me, having a cheerleading team that raises money for charity is the greatest idea ever! The people involved are not only stellar athletes, but they also care about the community and making our city a better place to live in. Our squad relies on each other for strength and skill not only for stunting and dancing, but also for creativity and commitment to our cause.

I remember how exciting it was when I was cheering at basketball games in college. The game was tied, the athletes were struggling to chalk up a win for the fans, who were on their feet, urging their team on, and then there was us—the cheerleaders—who were leading the cheers and getting the crowd united to show support for our team. The excitement and gratification when the buzzer sounded with our team two points ahead, surfing on a wave of cheers from the fans all the way to their victory, is an unbelievable feeling. I’m proud to say that I feel that same sense of accomplishment when our team presents a check to an organization that will use our donation to make a significant change in people’s lives.

What does your squad do to better your community? Share your story in the comment box below.

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