News Release
Contact
Laurie E. Bick-Jensen
Director,
Public Relations
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720
(302) 295-1164
laurie.e.bick@wilmu.edu
Easter Seals Adult Health Day Participants Treated to Holiday Performance of Wilmington University UCA Small Coed Division II National Champion Cheerleaders
Wilmington University's UCA Small Coed Division II National Champion cheerleaders performed and spread plenty of holiday cheer at the Adult Health Day held on December 8, 2014 at Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland Eastern Shore in New Castle.
The cheerleaders performed three cheers, including their signature lifts, in front of forty Easter Seals attendees. Following the cheers, the team got to meet and distribute holiday gifts to the attendees. The cheerleaders then joined the attendees in games, painting, face painting and putting puzzles together.
Easter Seals provides services to help children and adults with disabilities and/or special needs and provides support for their families. A well-known nonprofit in Delaware, Easter Seals has been helping families for 65 years. Today, more than 25,000 individuals and families benefit from their extensive services at six Easter Seals facilities throughout Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore.
"As a coach, I keep encouraging the team to get out of their comfort zones," said Jeff Martino, who has been coaching the national champion cheerleaders for a number of years. "This level of community interaction helps them to reach outside themselves and help others. When they take advantage of opportunities like this, the cheerleaders also learn valuable life skills. They may find it easier to meet new people and perhaps open up new ways they can benefit the community beyond their time at WilmU."
"It's good for all of us to reach out to others and spread some holiday cheer," said Ashley Mundy, assistant cheerleading coach. "This was something different for the team. I think they will look back to see that it benefited each one of them every bit as much as the Easter Seals clients they connected with."
Ashley Hunter, a Wilmington University cheerleader in her sophomore year, is majoring in Media and Communications. "This is very heartwarming. I'd even say it is life-changing for me. The residents are just like me but, due to some unfortunate circumstances, they've experienced greater challenges than me.
“I love people and I like to help out in the community," Hunter added. "It is overwhelming in a good way and teaches me to be more patient with people.”
About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution committed to providing flexible, career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Ranked as the second fastest growing doctoral institution in America 2002 – 2012 by The Almanac of The Chronicle of Higher Education, affordable tuition, academic excellence and individualized attention are hallmarks of the University that enable greater student success in their chosen careers. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit our website: www.wilmu.edu.
