Camello Vanloo is the coach of the cheerleading team Cheer 4 a Cause Angels. 

“The Cheer 4 a Cause Angels is an 18-and-older volunteer cheerleading team. Every year, we pick a charitable cause and we dedicate that season,” Vanloo explained.

A portion of this season’s fundraising will go towards a charity that supports youth mental health. The cause is personal for Vanloo. 

What You Need To Know

  • Cheer 4 a Cause is a certified non-profit organization

  • This is the squad's innaugural year

  • It is a group of 18-and-older voluenteer cheerleaders

“I am a school counselor and former special educator so working with children is near and dear to my heart,” Vanloo said. “Now we're seeing an increase in mental health disorders with the youth, especially since everyone’s been isolated, they’ve been out of school, stuck at home. So now more than ever it’s really important.

“Honestly, I had no intentions of coming back to cheerleading now branching out into my career,” said cheerleader, Nicole Stephenson.

But Stephenson, 24, decided to break out the pom poms and join the team because it was for a good cause.

“With COVID-19 and everything going on and privileges and everything being taken away from kids, not only from here, but like everywhere, so to contribute to one place and to spread awareness is so important,” said Stephenson.

This year is the squad’s inaugural season and because of COVID they had to cut it short. They started practicing once a week in April for eight weeks to prepare for their end-of-season competition. After only a few weeks training, the team is reaching new heights. 

“We're really excited. We’ve got a lot of interest so far. Next year, we are trying to add a co-ed team and a dance counterpart as well,” said Vanloo.

Camello has plans for Dance 4 a Cause, but if you want to cheer with this squad, their season starts up again in September.