The Vance Charter Cheerleading team is almost halfway to its goal of raising the roughly $70,000 needed to be able to make the trip to New York City to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
Head Coach Stacey Long said Thursday that the group has raised about $30,000, which is a great start. There’s a Sept. 1 deadline, though, so any and all donations to the fundraiser effort are welcomed at this time.
The group got the invitation in early May, and Long said to her knowledge, they’re the only cheerleading group in the area ever selected to march in the parade, known for its giant balloons, festive floats and marching bands. The girls will march along the 2.5 mile parade route, then stop and perform at Herald Square in front of Macy’s flagship store.
Over the past few weeks, the cheerleaders have fanned out across Henderson and Oxford, visiting businesses and delivering informational flyers in hopes of drumming up additional donations.
Long said the trip will cost about $3,000 per student, and the fundraiser will cover their costs, but not those of the 11 chaperones that will accompany them.
“We go up five nights before the performance,” Long said, adding that there’s a rigorous schedule that includes sightseeing and maybe even a Thanksgiving meal, all part of the “experience.”
“The girls are pretty excited,” she said. “They are sacrificing not having the holiday with their immediate family,” but an invitation to appear in the parade may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Long said she and assistant coach Shelley Whitehead have worked diligently alongside the cheerleaders to bring the fundraiser to the community’s attention.
If you can help, phone Long at 919.691.3279 or send a message via the Vance Charter Cheer Leading Facebook page.
There are various donation levels, beginning with $2,500 Platinum, $1,500 Gold, $1,000 Silver and $500 Bronze, but donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted.
The best way to make a financial donation is to send a check to the school:
Vance Charter School
Attn: Coach Stacey Long
2090 Ross Mill Rd.
Henderson, NC 27537
