Giving Back, Season By Season

One of the great things about giving back to your community is that you can do it any time of year! Depending on your squad’s busy seasons, you can help your community during the summer, spring, fall, or winter. There are always dozens of ways to help, no matter the time of year. To avoid too much stress or overwhelming schedules, find a time in your squad’s schedule that allows for community projects or events. If you’re a competitive squad, find time in the summer for a project. If you’re a sideline squad, you may have time in early spring or winter. While you can do just about anything as a community project, you may want to consider the time of year and let the season guide you. Not only will it feel more spirited, but it may also make it easier for you to find any and all resources you need. Let us guide you through the seasons and inspire your next community contribution! Fall When we think of fall, we think of the changing seasons – a great theme to incorporate. Is your community drowning in foliage? Offer to host a leaf raking party! At a local park or school, your squad and other volunteers can rake the leaves into bags. This is a great to help without having to spend a lot of money. You can even ask people to bring their own rakes and trash bags or to donate old ones they no longer use. Be sure to get the right clearance from park or school officials. Alternatively, reach out to the elderly in the community and offer to help clean up their yard and collect all foliage. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and is a great cause with which to get involved. Wear pink cheer gear in support and participate in local Awareness events, like 5k walks or donation services. If you want to get into the Halloween spirit, you can donate pumpkins to families that can’t afford to purchase their own. Or, to make it more fun, hold a pumpkin carving party. People can bring their own pumpkins and bring extras for those who don’t have one! You can hold a carving contest and give a prize for the most creative pumpkin design. And don’t forget about Thanksgiving services! Plenty of local soup kitchens are always in need of help. Offer to volunteer your time serving meals or hold a canned food drive and collect meals to donate to soup kitchens and similar organizations. Winter When the weather gets chilly, many homeless or those less fortunate are left out in the cold. Contribute blankets to homeless shelters or donate old winter clothing to thrift stores that provide clothing for those in need. You can also hold a clothing drive at school or in your community and ask people to donate winter wear and blankets. Once all collected, reach out to a local Salvation Army or similar organization that can distribute the items to families in need. With a number of holidays occurring in the winter months, a popular option is to hold a toy drive. Or, work with a local organization to “adopt” a family; you’ll be provided a list of the family members’ ages, clothing sizes, and items they need or want. This will help you know what to shop for. Spring When we think of spring, we think of spring cleaning! Spring is also the time when many cheerleading companies come out with new items. As you shop for new practice wear and uniforms, collect your old items and donate them! Or, hold a squad spring cleaning. Each member can clean out her closet and collect any items she no longer needs or wears. Donate all items to a Salvation Army or similar organization. To get in the cheer spirit, recycle your old cheer bows, uniforms, and practice wear and transform them into blankets! Items can be sewn together to create a quilt, uniquely designed by you! For a project like this, enlist the help of the wonderful cheer parents who have experience sewing and making alterations. Summer Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather and take your community contributions to the outdoors! Hold a cleanup at your local beach, lake, river, or park. Get involved with a “walk for the cause.” During the summer, many organizations and research foundations host 5k walks for various causes. Sign your whole team up and recruit fellow students and community members, or ask friends and family to pledge a certain amount for every mile you walk. If your community hosts any summer festivals or fairs, see if your team can have your own booth. You can hold a bake sale and donate part of the proceeds to a charity of your choice. Follow in the footsteps of the many NFL cheer squads that host mini cheer camps for youth cheerleaders or aspiring cheerleaders. You can teach a few basic moves and share the basics of spirit! Whatever you choose to do, make sure it is something your squad is passionate about. Giving back should be something you look forward to and enjoy doing! Does your squad give back to the community? What do you do?