Hi Broncos Fans!

My name is Tara. This is my second season as a Denver Broncos Cheerleader. I’ve never blogged before, but I am excited to have this opportunity to talk to Broncos Country about the charity work I’ve been pursuing that I hold very close to my heart.

As a member of DBC, I not only get to perform on game day, but I am also afforded many chances to give of my time, and volunteer in various ways off of the field. Specifically, I had the amazing opportunity to perform at the Children’s Hospital on several occasions last season, as a leader with the Junior Denver Broncos Cheerleaders.

I was so excited to be able to use my position as a member of the Broncos organization in order to give back to the community. Little did I know at the time, the experience would change my life forever.

I arrived at the Children’s Hospital on a Saturday morning, traveling coffee in hand, ready to dance. I walked in, saw the orange and blue and made my way to where we would be dancing. I said hello to all of the young ladies and their parents, and had a quick talk with the JDBC to explain the importance of being kind, calm, and well behaved at all times — a task easier said than done when dealing with 30 girls between the ages of 6-14 years old. Not to mention, it was only 10am, and I was only half way through my coffee.

I asked them how they liked to be treated when they have a cold or flu, and explained to the girls that this is how the children in the hospital would be feeling. This comparison proved to be effective, as I have never seen the JDBC be more kind and giving.

The patients began to arrive, and I could see the JDBC light up at the thought of performing. We performed two dances and then held a Broncos trivia challenge, which awarded the children with Broncos hats, t-shirts, and footballs.

After the trivia finished, I had a moment to meet with all of the patients and their parents. They were all warm and welcoming. I felt privileged that they wanted to take a photo with me and share their stories.

I was emotionally overwhelmed by the experience, when I left the hospital that I got in my car and sobbed. I felt selfish for ever thinking my life was difficult or challenging. I have never felt thankful for being healthy and blessed with the ability to dance. I can honestly say that the children and their parents were the most wonderful and hopeful people I have ever met. Not a day does goes by that I do not think about them.

That day I met a boy name Mikhael and we became fast friends. Mikael was recovering from spinal surgery due to his severe case of Scoliosis. We took a photo together and the photographer had Mikhael’s email address so he could send him the photo.

I wrote Mikhael a quick email; thanking him for the great smile he had in the photo and the opportunity to meet him and his mother. We have since exchanged several emails and I have visited him at the Children’s hospital, where he has undergone multiple surgeries. Spending time with Mikhael and his family has been the most rewarding opportunity I have ever had.

They have changed my life for the better. I cannot thank them or the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders enough for the opportunity. I have promised Mikael a set of my tickets this year so he could come to a Denver Broncos game for his birthday.

I cannot wait to see him again as I watch another Broncos victory from the field!

- Tara

Look for more thoughts from Tara and other Broncos cheerleaders as the 2010 season nears.

Tags: 2010, Cheerleaders, Denver Broncos

This entry was posted on Friday, July 30th, 2010 at 10:02 am and is filed under Cheerleaders. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.