All Star Cheerleaders are Changing the World

All Star Cheerleaders are Changing the World

Most people don't realize community service is at the top of all star cheerleaders' to-do lists. And now, more than ever, all star athletes are taking their

Aug 24, 2016 by Jessica Baker
All Star Cheerleaders are Changing the World
Most people don't realize community service is at the top of all star cheerleaders' to-do lists. And now, more than ever, all star athletes are taking their service efforts to a whole new level by partnering with Varsity All Star and the Team Up for St. Jude program.

Our industry is comprised of hardworking, competitive, dedicated and passionate individuals that have such big hearts. By taking all of these admirable qualities and putting them to community service not only builds character for an athlete, but it also helps them excel beyond the sport. -- Ashlee Wagoner, Varsity All Star Marketing Director
Since their partnership formed in 2011, The Team Up for St. Jude program spirited by Varsity has raised an impressive $3.6 million, and the all star programs, which are fairly new to the philanthropy, have collectively raised more than $111,000!

The World Cup All Stars from Freehold, New Jersey, were incredibly successful in their efforts, and raised more than $17,000!

We truly believe we are responsible for teaching our kids MORE than just cheerleading skills. As coaches, we need to be responsible for helping to shape these athletes to be better people. Eventually, they will leave the cheer world and we hope they can take something they learned here at World Cup with them into the rest of their lives. We hope that learning to give back at a young age will help shape them into generous and caring adults. -- Jordyn Cetnar, World Cup All Star Coach and Co-Chair of St. Jude Committee
The top fundraising programs were invited to tour the St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, and it was an eye-opening experience for the group. Many of them took away something special from the experience, and Coach Jordyn from World Cup told us more about their experience:

I have really learned to step back and enjoy more. As I walked through the halls of St. Jude, one thing was overwhelmingly obvious: The patients and families were so appreciative and positive. As coaches we get caught up in what skills kids have, or who is absent again. After visiting St. Jude I have really tried to step back and enjoy my teams more, and make stronger bonds and relationships with the athletes and I am encouraging them to do the same. I have tried to focus my teams more on the journey they take together rather than how many competitions they win.
Varsity All Star's goal is to raise over $250,000 during the 2016-17 season. If you'd like to join their efforts, the new Team Up for St. Jude Spirited by Varsity ALL STAR fundraising season kicked off on August 1 and it's not too late to join! Sign your gym up to participate and help save lives today at stjude.org/varsityallstar.

Here's a look at some of the top fundraising all star programs in 2015-16:
Top Small Gym Fundraisers:
Chico Cheer All Stars from Chico, CA $1,865
Thunder Elite All Stars from Bryan, TX $2,670.25
SoCal Select All Stars from Poway, CA $2,937
Legacy Tumble & Cheer from Carthage, TX $3,632
Tumble express Gymnastics from Brazil, IN $11,328

Top Large Gym Fundraisers:
Louisiana Athletics from Baton Rouge, LA $4,530
Top Gun All Stars $5710.00
Heat Athletics from Sussex, WI $7,155
Cheer Extreme All Stars from Colfax, NC $7,500
World Cup All Stars from Freehold, NJ $17,805

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