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The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers have partnered with Colorado Supporting our Troops to collect food and goods for military members serving overseas.
LOVELAND, Colo. -- **With the Broncos in Foxborough for a game against the Patriots on Sunday, the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders didn't just take the weekend off.
On Saturday, the cheerleaders headed north to the Loveland location of Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers for Cheer for the Troops, an event that partners with Colorado Supporting our Troops to provide food and basic goods to military members who are serving overseas.
"The need is greater now than it ever has been because a lot of the facilities (in Iraq and Afghanistan) have been taken down," said Lainey Hamrick, who operates Colorado Supporting our Troops. "They can't go to a Class A shop and buy Gatorade or beef jerky anymore. So they get their meals and things, but anything else, they rely on us to send them things and cheer them up. This is the perfect way to cheer them up."
The Broncos Cheerleaders have partnered with Freddy's -- which was co-founded by World War II veteran Freddy Simon -- every year since 2007 to provide support to overseas military members during the holiday season. Donated goods ranging from snacks to hygiene items to holiday gifts are being accepted by all Freddy's locations through November 23.
Saturday was the first of three events the Broncos Cheerleaders will be attending, along with Miles the Mascot, to support the cause, giving away autographed posters and taking pictures with fans. Children at the event were able to color and decorate the boxes that collected goods will be shipped in, which Hamrick says many troops will put up on their walls. Hamrick added that the Cheerleaders' support has been extremely helpful.
"It's huge," she said. "Last year, we probably sent close to 500 boxes because of the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders and it is an amazing thing."
For their part, the Cheerleaders are happy to support the cause.
"One of the biggest and best things that we can do to give back is specifically to reach out to those not only in our community but those that serve here in Colorado as well as overseas," said Sam, a five-year veteran DBC.
"Whenever you can help somebody else out -- help make their day, help make them feel significant and special and let them know we're thinking about them, no matter what, we're always keeping them in our thoughts -- that's definitely a heartwarming feeling for us too."
