Cheer for Life: Haven of Hope for Kids

Cheer New York went on a special trip to a woodsy New Jersey town, got lost (what else?) and encountered one post office, one traffic light, and a place with one huge heart.

On Sunday, March 8th, a caravan of cheerleaders from Cheer New York visited the town of Hope, N.J., an hour-and-half drive from New York City, to present a $3,500 check to Haven of Hope for Kids. The charity provides a retreat for kids with debilitating illnesses such as sickle cell anemia and cancer; they get to relax and get away from all the stresses of medical treatment with their families. All for free.

These kids get to fish for trout or bass, have a barbeque in the backyard, visit a farm and see the animals, go swimming or rafting on the Delaware River, ice skate and sled in the winter, and enjoy the rides and water park at the Land Of Make Believe. The organization provides grocery shopping money and covers incidentals for the family on their stay at a lovely and cozy cottage that Cheer New York got to visit. It's an amazing experience, but it's an experience that needs continued financial support.

In the fall and winter of 2008, Cheer New York raised money for Haven of Hope by fundraising at bars on Bingo nights, soliciting donations at Gay Expo and gift wrapping at several Barnes & Noble stores during the holiday shopping season. The team was the town's special guest as it was welcomed with open arms by about 60 or so Haven of Hope volunteers and administrators at a party meant to acknowledge everyone's contribution. The team performed a little cheer and a stunt that wowed Hope's residents, who afterward shared stories of the special kids that have come to stay in town. They were so happy to have the team there that they've invited Cheer New York to come back for a barbecue in late May or June.

Hope may be a small town, but what Cheer New York saw was a special place filled with big hearts. -Raymund

(In picture: Clay, Haven of Hope's Pamela Faris and Carola Walton, Mayor Tim McDonough, Felipe, Nicholas F, Rick, Tiffany M and Raymund)

Happy New Year!!

It is always nice to see members of Cheer New York doing something productive with their time away from the team. Read to below to discover the unique way Maiko K. and Rick H rolled in the New Year. Way to represent CNY!

On December 31st Maiko and I ran the Midnight Run in Central Park, a New York Road Runners 4 mile race, and a great way to start the New Year. However, it was BRUTALLY cold. So during the race while we were running, Maiko and I did Cheer New York cheers to help us keep warm. After finishing a rendition of "G-O Go New York, G-O Let's Go!" a fellow runner behind us shouts out, "Is that Cheer New York??" Maiko and I looked at each other quizzically and then turned around and shouted back, "Yes, why, yes we are Cheer New York!" While Maiko was was wearing the red warm-up pants, there was nothing on us that said Cheer New York. Plus, being from the back he could not even see our faces. I guess it goes to show those cheers really are meaningful to the runners of New York! We are so famous! -Rick H.

Cheerleader of the Year 2008: A Poem

Rick H. was so excited about winning the Cheerleader of the Year award this year that he HAD to express himself through prose. Enjoy!

Cheer New York, it's all about us.

At Elmo, they must've wondered what's all the fuss.

Year after year, we come to celebrate,

With food and a cake made by Nicholas (squared) -- a full plate!

Balloons, ribbons, pictures, and people dressed to the nines,
Drinking margaritas, cosmos, and fancy wines,
But warmer than that wine dribbling down Tonika's dress,
Was the love I felt recognizing the year, one of Cheer New York's best.

NYC is a huge place, making it easy to get lost in the shuffle,
But being on CNY has helped make the sense of life out of the kerfuffle.
There've been rough times, bouncing from gyms to studios to the pier,
But we've come out ahead -- and CNY is going strong into its seventh year!!

I'll never forget the day Felipe called and told me about the team,
Back then winning Cheerleader of the Year seemed like a dream,
But because of the love and support, like Manny -- my personal growth -- it SHOWS.
But don't think that I'll just bask in the honor that this award bestows.

No! Harder, better, faster, stronger just like Matt implored.
Fundraising so that trip to Gay Games in Germany, we can afford.
And using goodsearch.com whenever I get bored.
And bringing to the team more unity and accord,
n the meantime though...
CNY, thanks for the love, the laughter, the sweat! - that is embodied by this award.

CNY'S BIGGEST CELEBRATION NIGHT EVER!!

They traded their Nike's for Gucci's, their poms for cosmos and half pulled out their ponytails for some layers and bangs – no, it wasn't the Emmy's, but it was all-the-way glam, nevertheless.

Everyone was dressed up to the nines on Cheer New York's anniversary and awards dinner on the night of Sept. 24^th at the swanky hotspot Elmo restaurant in Chelsea. They toasted the team's accomplishments and honored those team members who made a difference in making this past season --its sixth! -- the best ever.

Here are the fantabulous 2008 award winners:

Cheer New York Recognition Awards – Tiffany M., Mike V., Raymund F., Tonika S., Scott W., Clay S., Felipe H.

Cheer Loud, Cheer Proud Award–Nicholas F. & Mike V.

Deney Terio Dance Award–Matt A. & David G.

Mary Lou Retton Award–Dan V.

Best Jumps Award-Will A.

Cheer for Life Award–Rick H.

Unsung Hero Award–Nicholas F.

Miss Congeniality–Mike V.

Newbie Award–Diego T.

CNY Most Improved Flier–Katie M.

CNY Most Improved Mid-Base–Will A., Nicholas F.

CNY Most Improved Base–Raymund F.

CNY Cheerleader of the Year–Rick H!!!

When everyone finished up their speeches, posed for those Facebook pictures and popped all the red-and-blue balloons, they left feeling like 10s and ready for Season No. 7!

-by Raymund F.

(from top: newbies Tre, Lara, Diego and Gray; the ladies of Cheer NY; Cheer Loud, Cheer Proud recipients Mike & Nicholas F; Mary Lou Retton Award winner Dan)

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Sweat bristling on our brows. Stomach churning, regretting that Chipotle burrito from last night although it was so satisfying at the time. Muscles cramping as we breathe in the humid summer air. Thoughts of family members celebrated today drifting through our heads. Over the horizon hands clasped together we spot the bright pink balloon-engulfed finish line and glimmers of pom pom strands dancing in the morning sunlight. 'We are proud of you, we are proud of you," the Brooklyn College Cheer Squad cheers as we hug and kiss in sighs of relief that we have made it.

Usually members of Cheer New York are the ones cheering runners on, as well, that's what cheerleaders do, but on Sunday, September 14th, we were the ones in need of cheer as we competed in the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Central Park to benefit organizations battling breast cancer. Cheer New York participates in a myriad of walks and runs raising money and awareness for eleemosynary causes, but it was altogether different moving from the sidelines to the center stage, our senses heightened to the sights and sounds of other cheerleaders, staff, and volunteers imparting sweet, simple phrases like, "You're almost there," and "Look at those smiles." It made us appreciate more what we do and not to take it for granted.

We also ameliorated our fundraising skills raising $700 collectively in less than a week's time with many contributions coming from Cheer New York teammates. The days leading up to the race were filled with words of encouragement and pinkening preparations (buying special socks and decorating our bodies and signs). Though we've lived together for almost two years now, it also brought us together even closer as teammates of a different kind with our shared experience of loved ones who had suffered but ultimately survived breast cancer.

We'd also like to make a special shout-out to newbie Nicholas P. who also participated, and encourage every CNY member to experience the other side of the cheer equation walking and/or running for a cause they believe in. You'll be a better cheerleader for it.-Rick & Tonika

Cheerleaders+Hole in the Wall=Genius!!

On September 7th the new game show titled "Hole in the Wall" premiered on Fox. Did you watch it? Did you also feel like something was missing? Possibly a cheerleader or two?

As obvious as it may be to some that cheerleaders and a contest testing your ability to contort into strange and unusual shapes go hand in hand, the few Cheer NYers that tried out for the new Fox show didn't make it. Yes, you may booo and hiss now.

Hummmm....maybe there is such a thing as too bendy. :)

CNY Spirit Night at the Beer Garden!

Happy Birthday Rick!!

This past Saturday, May 17th was Rick (aka Rickstina)'s birthday!!

Though Rick spent most of his birthday weekend finishing up his first semester of graduate school, never fear, the Rick celebration will commence. There is no doubt that Rick deserves being celebrated. Yearly, monthly, weekly...heck even daily!

Happy Birthday Rick! Cheer NY hearts you!