Sweethearts for Soldiers
Darlene Clancy
Sweethearts for Soldiers is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale boosting and entertainment-type services to our men and women in uniform.
The California based non-profit organization, Sweethearts for Soldiers (SFS), has announced its 2010 Sweethearts. The list of 28 women from all over the world represents more than 20 major professional football and basketball teams. Among the list of women are some familiar faces; seven of the Sweethearts are former Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders. Megan Clementi who is currently Miss Florida USA 2010 and Bonnie-Jill Laflin, actress and first ever female NBA scout for the LA Lakers are also included in the prestigious list.
The Sweethearts will volunteer their time to provide morale boosting and entertainment-type services to military personnel in all branches of the Armed Forces. Sweethearts will further the mission of the organization by performing variety shows on tours to military bases and installations stateside and abroad, making appearances at various charity events, and producing a yearly calendar that will be a delivered to military personnel. With such a large military presence in Jacksonville the Sweethearts hope to participate in numerous events locally as well as over seas.
To be selected as a Sweetheart they must have performed with a professional major league football or basketball team and have a passion for volunteering their time to the military. “I can't think of a better way to spend my time and I am proud to be a member of the 2010 Sweethearts for Soldiers”, says Anna Smith who is one of the new 2010 Sweethearts and cheered with teams from Seattle, Baltimore and
Co-founder Tonya Helman states “The past two years have been extremely successful for the Sweethearts for Soldiers Organization. We were able to go
With the SFS program growing so has the staff of the SFS organization. Donald Wells, former Director of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders is taking the helm as Director of Marketing and Sponsorships. Mr. Wells has been on a record setting 27 Department of Defense tours and has a true passion for the military. With his 16+ years of pro entertainment experience he plans to help take the Sweethearts to a level that they can reach hundreds of thousands every year.
In addition, Darlene Clancy transitions from 2009 Sweetheart to Chief Communications Officer. Mrs. Clancy was a cheerleader with the Jacksonville Jaguars and has over seven years experience working in the broadcasting and communications industry. She currently works as the Marketing and Events Coordinator for a non-profit organization in Jacksonville and resides on the Board of Directors of the Let Us Play! Foundation as well as the Professional Cheerleaders Alumni, Inc. (PCA). In 2008 Mrs. Clancy was the co-creator of the inaugural Jacksonville Axe Maidens (cheerleaders for the Jacksonville Axemen American Rugby League Team) and remains the Director, focusing a large portion of their appearances at USO events.
For more information on Sweethearts for Soldiers please go to www.sweetheartsforsoldiers.org.
By Bill Catlette
Coaching and managing high performers is a joy, but it is not altogether easy.
For four years in the early 90's I had the privilege of coaching a boys' high school recreation league basketball team. Use of the word, "privilege" is not hyperbole. These kids were wonderful human beings, a real credit to their parents, and it just so happened, exceptional athletes as well. In four seasons, in a very competitive Memphis-area league, our team amassed a 50-5 record in league play. Rest assured that the record had far more to do with athletic ability than coaching acumen.
That said, I was reminded last night, at the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA game, of one of the lessons our little team had to learn the hard way, a lesson about the importance of being careful to respect both your teammates and competitors.
Cavaliers uber-star, LeBron James spent much of the pre-game warmup period showboating with circus shots for fans and a local TV crew. Unbeknownst to LeBron, fans weren't the only ones watching. Several Grizzly players silently took it all in as well.
As the game played out, the superior Cavaliers team took an eleven point first half lead. Something happened at halftime though, as a very determined (mad?) Grizzlies team emerged from the locker room. With grit and determination, they clawed their way back to even the game by the end of regulation play.
Watching Grizzlies reserve center, Hamed Haddadi's thunderous two-handed dunk over Shaquille O'Neal late in the game, I wondered aloud if Grizz coach, Lionel Hollins had lit the team up at half time. The guy seated next to me cleared it up. "Nope, LeBron did it in pre-game warmups, and they've finally hit the boiling point."
Oh, LeBron got his points, 43 of 'em to be exact. But his team got the same thing my team did in 1993 when several of our players had dissed our competitors prior to a game. They got beat.
Don't get me wrong. LeBron seems to be a fine young man, and I have no doubt whatsoever that he will go on to have a magnificent career, put lots of fannies in seats, and be a credit to the game. Yet, if his team, and, more to the point, our teams are to win the ultimate prize, we must exercise considerable skill in coaching our players, especially the stars, about some of the finer points of the game, like...
1. Keeping the main thing the main thing - Helping them understand (really get it) that Individual performances are necessary and desirable, but, in team efforts of any ilk, the main thing is for the team to win, period.
2. Never, ever disrespecting teammates or competitors - As the Cavaliers learned last night, the only thing more dangerous than a better armed competitor is one that is motivated by public humiliation or disrespect. There is never a good enough reason or need to go there. Don't do it.
3. Adhering to a Higher Standard - Whether in sports or business, on any team there are talented players who become the on-court leaders. Acceptance of that role comes with a price - higher expectations. More specifically, it means setting the example for others to follow, and subordinating self interest for the greater good. It means practicing your layups and free throws during pre-game warmups whether you need the practice or not.
4. Be the Crowd for Your Team (aka, Don't underestimate the power of recognition) - I'm constantly challenging executive coaching clients as to whether or not they are sufficiently and satisfactorily thanking and recognizing people in their organization. It is an extremely powerful motivator. As Cleveland Cavaliers Coach, Mike Brown lamented after last night's game, "They (the Grizzlies) got up in us defensively in the second half. When they did that, we had some bad turnovers that gave them easy dunks in transition. When you give up those types of dunks, you're going to ignite a crowd. When the crowd gets going, it's going to give you confidence as a team, and that's what happened."
Nuff said.
Make it a great week!
.
Your display advertisement can be seen by thousands of potential customers daily. Take advantage of our many daily page views to give your business 24/7 advertising.
Another possibility is a "story ad" which will tell about your business and feature items for sale. The charge for this service is $60 for the story and one photo. Additional photos are $10 each. This includes a link to your website and one month ad life. Additional time can be arranged. Will add Video for small additional fee. Email ad to advertising@floridasnipsandsnaps.com .
Cash or checks accepted. Ads will appear after checks clear bank. Mail checks to Bev-Mac Enterprises, PO Box 148, Callahan, FL 32011-8319.
DISPLAY ADVERTISING RATES:
See Examples
Example A. Both include links to your website 3 inches x 2 inches (approx)
$40 a month, minimum three month purchase
Example B. 6 inches x 9 inches (approx)
$60 a month, minimum three month purchase
Classified Ads: 25 words for $10 per month.
Your photo added for additional $5 per month.
Other sizes, prices available upon request.
CONTRACT RATES:
Call 904-400-0358 or Email advertising@floridasnipsandsnaps.com
SPECIAL ADVERTISING/NON-PROFIT RATES:
Call 904-400-0358 or Email advertising@floridasnipsandsnaps.com
Camera ready ads may be Emailed to: advertising@floridasnipsandsnaps.com
It’s that time of the year and classes have begun at many colleges and universities. Paying for an education is a serious problem for both parents and students. Here are some ways to get college credit at much less expense than you might expect.
Many states have programs similar to Florida’s Bright Futures which can pay for much of your college expense.
JROTC PROGRAM
Check into the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Program while you’re still in high school or getting ready to go. You have to put up with a lot, not only from the course, but from fellow students, but, believe me the outcome can be great.
College ROTC
The high school program can prepare you for College ROTC but does not guarantee it.
Check with the school which you plan to attend to see how you can earn a full scholarship, even outside your own state, and get a stipend besides.
Some of the programs include room and board.
During your four years in college you’ll probably spend part of your summers with the military. Navy ROTC members, for example, may spend time at sea while Army, Air Force and Marine cadets may spend time at various bases and doing things similar to what you’ll encounter when going on active duty.
You’re not limited to the service represented by the ROTC unit you join. You probably will be able to choose which service you actually join upon graduation. I say “probably” because the needs of the military often dictate what you actually can do.
Also, those gold bars will feel awfully good when you graduate. Should you decide to make a career of the military, you’ll find that gold or silver on your collar means a lot more retirement money than stripes on your arm. Medical and educational programs for families are worth looking at, too.
CLEP Exams
If you don’t want to go that route, you can pick up 30 semester hours in less than a week at a much lower cost in money and time than actually attending class.
There are five general College Level Examination Program tests, each worth six credits. They are: English Composition without essay; Social Science & History; Natural Sciences, Humanities and College Mathematics. CLEP General and Subject examinations are accepted for credit by more than 2,900 colleges and universities.
These tests are usually equivalent to your first year of college. While different colleges and universities may have other costs, the University of North Florida charges a $15 registration fee for each plus $72 for each CLEP general exam.
There are many other exams available for credit and you may be able to use them as electives, or possibly to fulfill some major requirements. Check with the school of your choice for more information.
These are generally free to military personnel and some civilians. Otherwise, you may have to pay a charge – but it’s much less and takes much less time than actually attending class.
Enlist in Military
Enlisting in the military often results in your state’s guaranteeing you an education as long as you meet qualifications which depend upon the state.
Depending upon the field, enlisting in the Air National Guard or other Guard or Reserve may also result in a bonus for enlisting. Check for details.
Other Possibilities
As another possibility, you may be able to “challenge” a course; i.e., take the final exam and if you pass, you get the credit.
Some schools even offer credit for “life experience,” but you have to, again, check with the school to see what they will allow.
Ok. Let’s say you have completed college and now you’re looking at having to pay back those enormous loans. There’s a way to make it easier.
Forgiveness
Teaching may be a way to gain forgiveness from some of your loans. Check with the Department of Defense or the State Department website re: overseas jobs. The State Department does not employ teachers but does provide some related info.
If you would like to read more of my HUBs, please check my profile. You can also reach other HUB articles by other writers from here.
