WESTFIELD-As participants start Westfield Youth Football practices – and its cheer teams begin learning robust routines – it is also a time to raise awareness that funds need to be raised to support both endeavors.
Bomber cheerleaders Rylee Labonte and Alexandria Monczka are seen with Melanie McNamara, director of fundraising, Westfield Youth Football, outside of the Moolicious Farm in Southwick. Cheerleaders will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser Aug. 13.
“Money raised from fundraisers – including our annual fundraising weekend – are used to ensure the athletes have all of the best equipment currently available in the sports of football and cheer and to help keep costs low so that all youth in Westfield and the surrounding towns can participate,” said Melanie McNamara, director of fundraising.
On its website, the league reports an annual operating budget that exceeds $60,000, with limited revenues of approximately $35,000 from player registrations. Examples of fixed annual expenses listed include league insurance and fees, field rental, fees for officials, equipment purchases and maintenance, and purchase of uniforms.
During the weekend of Aug. 12-13, football players from the pee wees to the seniors – and cheerleaders – will be conducting a variety of fundraising projects including car washes in the city and a pancake breakfast at Moolicious Farm at 258 Feeding Hills Road, Southwick.
On Thursday afternoon, cheerleaders and their coach stopped by the Moolicious Farm to review the Aug. 13 breakfast that is planned from 7 a.m. to noon. The breakfast menu includes pancakes smothered in syrup and butter, bacon, sausage, home fries, coffee, tea, water and milk. The cost is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and children.
Rylee Labonte, who has been a cheerleader for six years and will start seventh grade at the South Middle School in the fall, “connects” to the sport.
“It’s a lot of hard work but I love cheerleading,” said Labonte. “We hope that people turn out for our fundraiser which will help us buy new uniforms, pompoms and bags.”
Alexandria Monczka, a cheerleader for four years, echoed those sentiments. Monczka begins seventh grade at the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School this fall.
“I fell in love with the sport after watching a video about cheerleading when I was younger,” said Monczka. “We hope that the community will come out for our breakfast because it will be fun and will also help support us when we host a cheerleading exhibition this fall.”
Michelle Coach, who is the head coach for the Bomber cheer teams, noted that the pancake fundraiser features the cheerleaders waiting on customers, clearing tables, serving meals and cleaning up after the event.
“I love working with the kids and to see how talented they are,” said Coach. “We are one big family and we have an exciting year planned.”
Coach added that Westfield Youth Cheer will host the Western Mass Cheer Exhibition on Oct. 21 at Westfield High School.
Parents of the cheerleaders, including Nycole Labonte, will also be on hand at the fundraiser to pitch in and help if the need arises.
“As parents we want to help the girls in any way we can – from selling tickets to waiting on customers,” said Labonte.
In addition to the pancake breakfast, the league’s flag players will be standing in front of Dunkin’ Donuts on North Elm Street across from Mestek on Aug. 12 and the pee wee players will be standing at Wal-Mart. Also, the pee wees and junior cheerleaders will stand at Wal-Mart on Aug. 13. All players will be at their designated locations from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m.
Also, the junior and senior tackle players will conduct car washes for $5 at Zuber’s, 98 Southwick Road, and Dunkin’ Donuts, 625 East Main St., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 12.
“Between all of the events, we are hoping to raise at least $5,000,” said McNamara, noting that there are many volunteers who work behind the scenes to ensure that the fundraisers are a success – from the board of directors to all of the coaches.
Head coaches for this fall who are also taking a lead in the activities include Joe Golec, pee wees; Troy St. Pierre, juniors; Michael Slingerland, seniors; Scott Greene, flag, and Michelle Coach, cheer.
“It is important to get our youth involved in activities promoting health and safety, teamwork, fair play, and so keeping costs low and equipment safe and up-to-date are important,” said McNamara.
For more information on the league, visit www.westfieldyouthfootball.org.
