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Opinion
WHS cheerleaders jump in right direction by helping feed Austin’s homeless
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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Photo by Nimai Malle
Serving up cheer
From left, Westlake High School cheerleaders Brittany Pearson, Alyssa Thomas, Elise Kunik and Samantha Sweitzer prepare burgers for Austin’s homeless and working poor residents at Auditorium Shores Saturday. The third annual event was held in conjunction with Mobile Loaves and Fishes. This year, the cheerleaders were able to raise $1,000 that was collected at WHS home basketball games to cover the cost of supplies.
Westlake High School cheerleaders rallied around the idea of providing Austin’s homeless community with a meal for the third consecutive year Saturday. Cheerleaders took the first two installments a step further this year by donating $1,000 to the cosponsor of the event, West Lake Hills-based Mobile Loaves and Fishes. The added gesture is a testament to the sincerity of everyone involved in the effort. See photo on page A2.
Each year, cheerleaders from all three squads take active roles in the event as one of their many community-service projects. Participants approach it with a zeal that is impressive to witness. They interact with members of the homeless community beyond simply serving them food. Some play Frisbee with those who turn out for a much-needed decent meal. Others may simply offer smiles, but all of them take a spirited approach to the unified act of kindness – a seemingly small gesture that could have far-reaching implication.
The added gift to ML&F this year is an indication that the event is, in fact, building momentum and reaping the fruits of previous years’ labor. Many of the cheerleaders come away with added insight into the problems facing the people they serve during the day. Tami Bone, a longtime parent volunteer for the cheerleaders, who initially suggested the idea and coordinated it, certainly believes in the project. Alan Graham of ML&F is also a believer in the effort. He pointed out that he loves how happy the girls are to help make a difference.
Both Graham and Bone hope that the event plants the seed of hope for more acts of kindness toward helping the working poor, and all indications are that many of the cheerleaders can and will do just that. ML&F performs similar acts of kindness on a daily basis, and its mission can use all of the help it can get. Volunteers are always needed, but funds for the work are critically needed. The nonprofit organization is located at 5455 Bee Cave Road. Anyone who is willing to help with either a gift of time or money should consider calling 306-8036 or visiting mlf.org for details.
There are no easy solutions for helping the working poor and homeless people of Austin, but the idea for the cheerleades’ event three years ago was one in the right direction.
— Ed Allen, Editor
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Dear Ed,
You nailed it beautifully – thank you for getting to the heart of the matter with the great article. It really isn’t about the food – the meal is just the setting. The real take-away is the seed that is planted in the hearts and minds of the girls. The interactions that they’ve shared and the kindnesses they’ve been shown will stay with them forever.
Several things struck me this year – one from Alan Graham when I asked in a meeting what the single most common denominator of homelessness was, and he replied, “catastrophic loss of family.” I was stunned. Alan pointed out that all of us have family members who’ve had problems with mental illness, disability, drug abuse, etc., but generally we take care of our own. When there is no family, a person has no one to care.
Another thing from Alan was the mention that we have between 40 to 60 homeless camps between the ML&F Corporate Office on Bee Caves Road and Barton Creek Mall. Granted these are small camps, but homelessness is closer than most Westlakers realize.
Lastly, I hadn’t thought about the power of simple play. The girls and some of the pushup guys struck up a great game of kickball while at the cookout. It was – sorry to be cliche, priceless. One gentleman came up to me smiling after playing for about an hour and said, “I haven’t played kickball since I was a kid, and it’s good to get my mind off things and have fun.” He told me his name was David and he had been rescued off of a bridge during Katrina and had lost all of his family. David was clean-cut and was wearing a gray and white letter jacket with a big red “W” on it.
So Ed, your interest in this project has helped to bring awareness and understanding – you’ve helped plant the seeds. I am, of course, so proud of our girls and pushup guys. We told them what to do, as far as cooking, serving, etc., and they stepped up and went way beyond our expectations.
Many thanks to you
,
Tami