Number of Participants: 22
Hours Donated: 8
Value of Time Served: $1,487
Event Type: Civic & Community
Sport: Cheerleading
School: Minisink Valley High School
Date: December 19, 2024
Location:
Minisink Valley High School
U.S. 6, Slate Hill
NY
About:
Every year, the Minisink High School Cheer program gears up for one of their most heartwarming traditions — their annual holiday adopt-a-family giving. It’s a time when the cheerleaders, their families, and coaches come together to spread joy to those who need it most. This has been part of the Minisink Valley HS cheer program for nearly two decades.
The tradition starts with the cheer program adopting two or three families from a local adopt-a-family program. The families, often struggling to make ends meet, are provided with a list of their members’ first names, ages, and their specific needs (clothing sizes, ideas for toys/games, etc.) — from clothing/hygiene products and toys to housewares and food. This information is shared with the team, and everyone rallies together to make sure each family receives what they need.
This year we adopted two families.
A week before Christmas, the cheerleaders gather in the high school cafeteria.. with their coaches and some family members.. bring everything they need and wrap the gifts for the families. The atmosphere is filled with laughter, teamwork, and the joy of knowing that their efforts are going to make a real difference in someone else’s life.
The cheerleaders deliver the beautifully wrapped gifts to the charity, where they will be distributed to the families in need. Although we don’t get to see the families, it has been shared with us that the smiles on the faces (and sometimes tears) of the families receiving the gifts are priceless; and the cheerleaders feel a deep sense of pride in knowing they’ve made the season brighter for others.
The annual event goes beyond just the act of giving. It reinforces the core values of the Minisink Valley High School Cheer program: teamwork, sportsmanship, school spirit, and community involvement. By participating in this tradition, the cheerleaders not only help those in need, but they also grow as individuals, learning the importance of giving back and making a positive impact on the world around them.
Over the years, this tradition has touched the lives of more than 40 families, providing them with a holiday they might not have had otherwise.
For the cheerleaders, coaches, and their families, the event is a reminder that the true spirit of the season lies in helping others.
