The most wonderful time of the year. A time to give, a time to share. This is a common belief among most cheerleaders.

The cheer program is one of the many whom participate in the ‘Adopt-a-Family’ charity. ‘Adopt-a-family’ consist of the families within the district who need help during the holiday season when it comes to meals and gifts. Cheer sponsor Sherri Thompson speaks of the 8 years the varsity, junior varsity and middle school cheerleading squads have spent partaking in this organization.

“There are families in our own school, our own community, that need a little help,” Thompson said.

Families with desires of having daily pleasures that are not affordable will often be granted them through organizations around the school.

“One year we had a high school student who always wanted an Ipod,” Thompson said. “With enough money donated, we were able to get him an Ipod and a gift card to use to add songs on it.”

The community members who donate the gifts and foods are unable to see the reaction of the receivers, but numerous stories have been spread of the joyous moments on that special day.

“We heard stories from teachers who have them in classes,” Thompson said. “They were telling them all about their Christmas and how excited they were about all the amazing gifts they got.”

Other necessities are given to the families depending upon their ages, genders and needs.

“If it’s a family where we know exactly what to get them, we do that, or if they’re young enough we can go get stuff like toys,” Thompson said. “But if it’s an older high school student we like to do gift cards to places like Target, American eagle or wherever to get what they want.”

These donations are not only given from cheerleaders, but the basketball teams have helped donate in the past as well. Teachers, parents, and truly anyone in the community can make contributions to the families being benefited.

“There have been people who call Mr. Butts and ask ‘Hey we want to help, are there any families that need our help?’” Thompson said. “Then he calls Mrs. King, Mrs. Sutton, the counselors, even me, to make sure we have all our families taken care of.”

The cheerleading program its self has grown in sorts since their role in the “Adopt-a-Family” program. The cheer sponsor has spoken on the affect it places in the hearts of the cheerleaders.

“I think when the girls actually do it and they get to see and wrap all the gift they are donating,” Thompson said. “It makes them feel good to know that they are doing something so amazing in the community.”

Our community is a strongly knitted family that has the power to come together and give in ways more than enough when it’s needed.

“We have a great community,” Thompson said. “When there is a need we are good at coming together and knowing who to go to in order to help those in need.”