Local Cheer Teams Spread the Love with “Adopt-A-Grand” Fundraiser
- Steve Jurrens
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The athletes of Encore Athletics are proving that cheerleading is about much more than just stunts and sidelines. This February, the local cheer program has launched its “Adopt-A-Grand: Sharing the Love” fundraiser, a community outreach project designed to bring joy to residents of local nursing homes for Valentine’s Day.
For a donation of just $10, community members can “adopt” one of the 270 residents across five local facilities, including Harmony Hill, StonyBrook Suites, Avantara, Edgewood, and Jenkins Living Center. The funds raised directly support the athletes' travel to major competitions, while residents receive handmade Valentine’s cards and personal performances by the teams.
“It’s a way for the girls to tie Encore Athletics in with the community,” says one of the program coordinators. “It gets the girls out there, helps offset travel costs for parents, and most importantly, makes sure everyone feels loved.”
The girls, ages 3 to 15, shared stories about their impact during a recent live broadcast. For many residents, the visits are a highlight of the season. “Every year we go to perform and just talk to them,” says athlete Camelia M. “They always have stories to share, and some of the grandmas even tell us they used to be cheerleaders back in the day!”
How to Support
The program is still seeking sponsors to cover the remaining residents and support the team’s upcoming trips to the Wisconsin Dells and Orange Beach, Alabama.
· Individual Adoption: $10 per “Grand” via Venmo @EncoreAthleticsSD (Include “Adopt-A-Grand” and the specific nursing home name in the notes).
· Corporate Sponsorship: $1,000 partnerships are available for the 2026 season, including digital signage on Highway 212 and logo placement on team warm-up gear.
