MK_120519

18 | December 5, 2019 | the mokena messenger life & arts
mokenamessengerdaily.com
A tradition 10 years strong
Rock Bottom, 22nd Century Media team up for Cheers to
Charity once again
Heather Warthen, 22nd Century Media’s Chief Events Officer, welcomes guests to the
10th annual Cheers to Charity and explains the sales at Rock Bottom that benefit the
Orland Township Food Pantry.
Michele Pierson, events and social media coordinator for Orland Park Area Chamber
of Commerce, makes a food deposit on Nov. 26 during 22nd Century Media’s annual
Cheers to Charity event at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Orland Park.
Photos by Bob Klein/22nd Century Media
Sandburg Chamber Singers (left to right) Maudy Miklos, Abby Hooks and Veronica
Leafblad perform during Cheers to Charity. Through Dec. 20, guests at Rock Bottom
Orland Park get $5 off their bill if they bring three canned food items or a new,
unwrapped toy to donate.
cheer
From Page 17
ing performance.
Moms and dads were
also in mind throughout
the planning of the event,
as Emmart and her team
wanted to create a judgement-free
zone where parents
could feel comfortable
if their child needed
to take a break, adjust their
learning style or take time
to process the information.
As it turned out, the participants
had big smiles on
their faces throughout the
clinic, as did their cheerleader
mentors, and they
could not get enough of
the thoughtfully taught
lessons.
“I can’t help but think
of some of these moms
and keep them in mind
too because my heart
goes out to them. They
should be able to experience
things with their
kids no matter what,”
Emmart said.
A coloring station was
set up for participants to
visit any time they needed
a pause from the action,
and parents of the
cheer team athletes were
on hand throughout the
event to help check people
in and organize the
toy drive.
While the fundamentals
of cheer were at the
heart of the clinic, so
were lessons of teamwork
and good sportsmanship,
which are cornerstones
of the LW Central cheer
program.
Senior cheerleader and
New Lenox resident Sophia
Gambino has been
cheering for almost a decade.
She said what she
loves most about the sport
is the camaraderie of the
team.
“It’s been really special
especially with our
coach. She came in with
the program and has created
a great atmosphere,”
Gambino said. “Everyone
is so supportive of each
other outside of school,
in cheer and with schoolwork
and everything. It’s
just a great atmosphere.”
Following this year’s
inaugural Special Olympics
Cheer Clinic and
Toys for Tots Toy Drive,
the LW Central cheer program
staff and athletes
plan to “absolutely” offer
it again in the future.