Cheerleaders present USD 8,000 to Gay Games Scholarship Fund

At Cologne's Dom

On 28 September 28, officials from the Federation of Gay Games visited the practice location of CHEER SF. During this visit, CHEER SF presented the FGG officials with a check for USD 8,000 which the team raised through its performances during the recent Gay Games VIII in Cologne, Germany. This historic donation will benefit the Gay Games Scholarship Fund to help finance participants, especially those from third-world countries, to attend the Gay Games in 2014.

The FGG was represented by Board members Alan Lessik (Treasurer), Doug Litwin (Officer of Marketing), and newly elected Officer of Culture Dr. Kathleen McGuire. In addition, Honorary Life Members Derek Liecty and Sara Waddell Lewinstein were present.

“CHEER San Francisco is pleased to be able to present our hard-earned sum of money to such a hard-working and revered partner organization as the Federation,” remarked Ryan Allen, CHEER San Francisco Program Director. “The team is celebrating our 30th ‘Pearl’ Anniversary Year, and being positioned to share our recent fundraising successes in Germany is an honor that we cherish."

A break in training

In addition to this USD 8,000 donation to the Federation of Gay Games, the team has also already delivered a separate USD 8,000 donation to AIDS Hilfe Köln (AIDS Help Cologne) which provides a spectrum of much-needed services to individual clients in the Cologne, Germany locale. The combined USD 16,000 was raised by CHEER SF along with members of CHEER New York and CHEER Los Angeles, in a whirlwind week abroad. This was a true testament to these volunteers’ sensational prowess as performers and fundraisers. The ongoing work of CHEER SF in the field of charitable fundraising was recognized by a 2010 Federation of Gay Games Legacy Award during Gay Games VIII.

CHEER SF recognizes these difficult economic times, where budget cuts have negatively impacted service agencies supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and other life challenging conditions. Through their CHEER For Life Foundation, CHEER SF has donated nearly USD 200,000 to said agencies around the world, and over 85% of those funds were donated during the last five years. This is surely a significant impact to their beneficiaries' bottom line, but more importantly, it is a heartfelt message that these people persevering through adversity have not been forgotten.

Derek Liecty, Alan Lessick, Sara Waddell Lewinstein

In the thank you letter he presented to CHEER SF, Derek Liecty, member of the FGG Scholarship Committee, included the following words:
"Together with Games Cologne, the Gay Games Scholarship Program brought 109 athletes and cultural participants from around the world for Gay Games VIII. The Federation awarded 34 scholarships to worthy applicants from Africa, South America, and Asia.

"You have to meet these individuals to fully understand how meaningful it is for them to attend a Gay Games where they realize perhaps for the first time that they are not alone in the world. They are taking their enthusiasm home with them and are organizing locally and in doing so they are fulfilling our dream of developing the Gay Games movement throughout the world.

"We want to especially congratulate CHEER San Francisco for its Gold Medal achievement in Cologne and for its thirty years of contributions to the LGBT community to which they have not just brought cheer, but pure joy to those fortunate people who have seen them perform. We also acknowledge their participation in every one of the eight Gay Games. All Cheer organizations truly embrace the ideals of the Gay Games, particularly in the area of inclusion."

About CHEER San Francisco: CHEER SF celebrates its 30th anniversary of entertaining audiences around the world while raising funds for charitable organizations that help people with HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and other life-challenging conditions. An all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization, CHEER SF is the world’s premiere philanthropic cheerleading team, and has been thrilling crowds with its unique brand of high energy routines since 1980. Dedicated to providing polished professional entertainment to support its philanthropic mission, the squad serves as goodwill ambassadors to over 50 public and private events and one million spectators annually. For more information, please visit www.CHEERSF.org.