The Rumson-Fair Haven Division 12 Youth Cheer Team has been doing more than cheering on their sports teams. The girls have been cheering on a good cause for those Bulldogs, or people in the R-FH community, adversely affected by Sandy.

“I am so proud of these girls," R-FH Youth Cheer Commissioner and Head Coach Amy Clark said. "They are even brighter than national champions today. They worked hard to perfect this routine and I felt they deserved a chance to shine before their community. I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to provide an example of Bulldog team spirit."

On Monday, the team performed its competition routine for the fans at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School during half-time of the boys varsity basketball game. 

This cheer team began practicing together in July of 2012. The team competed in the local American Youth Cheer competition in October and the girls were looking forward to continuing on to the American Youth Cheer National competition in Florida — until Hurricane Sandy spun its wrath on the area.

With a third of the team displaced out of state due to the storm, it was impossible to practice, attend the next competition, and raise the funds needed for travel to Florida.  

At that time, the decision was made that the team would have to withdraw from the competition. In an effort to bring some cheer to the community and make something positive come out of the situation, the team decided to donate the funds it would have used for travel to the R-FH Lend a Paw "Dawgs Helping Dawgs" Sandy fundraiser to benefit those in the area affected by the hurricane. 

This fund was organized by the Rumson-Fair Haven PTSA immediately following the storm. The funds they raised in the coming months directly benefitted students of R-FH that were impacted by the storm. 

Coach Clark was joined by her team to present a check for $3,000 to the President of the R-FH PTSA, Judy Horan, which will be doled out to those in need via Lend a Paw.