Former NFL/NBA Cheerleaders show their support to U.S. Troops
A big part of being an NFL cheerleader means not only performing on game day but also participating in the community at various events and charities. Each year, the NFL provides a lot of support to our United States Troops whether it is on or off the field. Players, Coaches and Cheerleaders hold various celebratory events in honor of the men and women serving our country.
In 2006, two former NFL Cheerleaders, Bari Yonkers and Tonya Helman founded an organization called Sweethearts For Soldiers. SFS is a non-profit public charity that provides troop entertainment and support both stateside and overseas. The mission of the Sweethearts’ is to raise morale and bring a touch of home to the brave men and women who are fighting for our freedoms. During their time in the NFL, Yonkers and Helman were given the opportunity to participate in several tours to support our military and both felt it was the most rewarding aspect of their job.
“We go from the sidelines to the front lines to support our true heroes, the troops,” Helman explained.
These women dreamed up this organization as a way to continue supporting the military, even after they retired their pom poms. They wanted to give other former professional cheerleaders and dancers a unique way to continue supporting the troops. 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.
SFS began with just a handful of former cheerleaders. Today the group has grown to include over 24 women, who are alumni of more 17 different NFL and NBA dance teams. The Sweethearts produce a yearly charity calendar, visit military bases stateside and overseas, and take their variety show on the road as a way to give back to those who fight for us on a daily basis.
If any girl is interested in becoming a Sweetheart, she must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a former NFL/NBA cheerleader
- You must attain one sponsor ad for the calendar
- You must attend a minimum of one sponsor event and one additional event throughout the year
- If selected for the touring team you must have a valid passport
The concept to provide Military Youth Cheer Clinics on tour was conceived in 2009 and put into action. The Sweethearts are continually giving back to those who fight for their country on a daily basis.
Beginning in 2010, the Sweethearts designed something special exclusively for female troops. Sweet’N Your Day gift baskets include goodies such as bath products, gift certificates, make-up, gourmet chocolates and manicure/pedicure products. These baskets are given out on two special holidays, Valentines Day and Mothers Day.
The girls know how hard it is to be away from family and loved ones during these times, especially for our troops that are mothers, so the idea is to bring a little bit of that piece of home to them. There were over 600 female troops who signed up for the first Sweet’N Your Day Give-a-way, and the ladies had the pleasure of handing out 6 grand prize gift baskets filled with items/services donated from businesses nationwide. 10 runner up winners received plush red robes.
The Sweethearts troop charity calendar is produced only for the troops. It is a 16 month, 9.5 x 9.5 calendar that has a different military theme each year. It features all of the Sweethearts and is given out free to all military personnel. For the past three years the calendars have played a vital role in helping boost the morale of our troops. It gives them a unique way to count the days until they come back home.
Another popular event that the girls have to offer is the Sweethearts’ variety show. It is an hour long show with six dance sections that appeal to all ages and genders. Each section has a different theme and costume. For this hour the troops are able to forget about why they are there and relax and unwind. The entertainment includes interactive games, skits, trivia and even a push up contest where the troops can really show off their skills. The show consists of six to thirteen girls depending on the contract through the Department of Defense. The tour can range from five to twenty eight days depending on how many countries are visited.
The variety show and handshake tours allow the girls to provide troops with Give-a-Ways from their corporate sponsors which include sunglasses from WileyX, backpacks, tactical gloves and other gear from Blackhawk, hand delivered female gifts filled with items from Mary Kay, Arbonne, spa packages and other essentials.
The Sweethearts participate in many military events throughout the year to sign autographs, provide entertainment, hold a Military Youth Cheer Clinic or just be there to support and assist in making the event fulfilled. They have worked closely with Snowball Express, Operation Gratitude and the Wounded Warrior Foundation. The Sweethearts travel all around the world so they can accommodate any event type or size.
To date the Sweethearts have been on two tours overseas to Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar and Afghanistan. Since 2007 they have sent 14,000 calendars to deployed troops overseas and stateside.
These women are talented individuals who have a passion for giving back to the men and women who sacrifice their lives daily to fight for our country’s freedoms. For more information regarding this organization, visit the website below.
For more information visit www.sweetheartsforsoldiers.com
Heather@proplayerinsiders.com/ Twitter: @HCartonia
