Peters Township youth cheerleaders give back to first responders
Staff writer
Peters Township first responders enjoyed a sweet and savory surprise Sept. 9, when youth cheerleaders hand-delivered dinners, baked goods and thank-you cards ahead of 9/11.
“Our project for September is to recognize our neighbors, our friends, our families. Some of them volunteer their time, but they put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Shannon Villani, president of Peters Township Youth Cheerleading Association (PTYCA). “(We want to) express our recognition of them.”
The 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on the country’s soil marked the first time PTYCA donated meals and treats to the area’s first responders. But thanking local fire fighters isn’t new to the Villani family.
The family donated time and dinners to Pittsburgh firefighters and first responders as part of a project begun by Josie White in 2015.
“So we had been cooking dinner for Station 19, my childhood fire station,” said Villani. “We really got to know all those guys.”
When COVID hit, Villani said, her family was unable to continue cooking for Station 19. Last year, as the world returned to some semblance of normalcy, she spearheaded a first responders cookie and cards donation event for her children’s teams.
“My daughter started cheering and my son plays football. Last year, I saw an opportunity to get them involved in Random Acts of Kindness,” said Villani.
When the enthusiastic mother of four took the reigns as president of PTYCA this year, she suggested taking dinner and desserts to local first responders on the Friday before Sept. 11.
One parent, Eric Nelson, owns Bonefish Grill and jumped at the chance to donate meals to Peters Township fire and police.
“I just cannot say enough nice things about (Eric) and his generosity,” said Villani. “Eric has already been in discussion with other vendors that he works with to jump on board next year.”
Nelson and Villani’s husband are both New York natives, and the iniative holds a special place in both their hearts.
The drop-off in was special for the cheerleaders and their families, too. Deputy Caputo and firefighter and EMT Zach Balas gave the team a tour of the station and helped the girls into a fire truck. The cheerleaders learned about fire equipment and some tried their hand at the forcible entry simulator, on which fire fighters practice breaking doors as part of rescue training.
“It was really fun getting a tour of the fire place,” said Arianna Spolter, 8. “I love fire fighters. They help us a lot.”
Teige Villani, 8, who plays Termite football, was honored to be part of the occasion.
“They saved New York,” he said of first responders. “They’re our heroes and they protect Peters.”
PTYCA assistant coach Jen Gantzer said this was her daughter’s first volunteer experience, and it was a great one.
“We’re really trying to get her into service work, in addition to having fun with her friends,” said Gantzer, as she watched Violet and her cheer peers climb into the fire truck. “It was really gratifying and fulfilling to do this community work and really just to say thank you to our fire department. They’re so deserving.”
Villani said she was proud of the cheerleaders and their families for participating in the event. She is already planning for next year.
“The families in Peters have been so generous. It’s just a really nice way to give back and say thank you,” she said. “We hope to make it even a bigger event next year. Each year, we just hope to keep improving the program.”
Because, Villani said, the area’s first responders deserve something special.
“They put a lot of time and a lot of effort into the community. Their families sacrifice a lot,” she said. “I want the kids to see them in a positive light. I think for the cheerleaders, it’s important to give back and recognize that this is bigger than just you. The girls are super sweet and they’re always excited to help.”