On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa: Cheers Sports Lends a Helping Hand to Victims of Super Storm Sandy

Cheers Sports crew loads donations bound for Jersey Shore

On the Sidelines with Dan Sousa
Viva Loudoun Editor

(Dec. 5, 2012) - If you have followed my work here at Viva Loudoun or before that on Loudoun Prep Sports (can we get a moment of silence for the "Monkey"), then you know my love affair with Cheers Sports goes back to literally the first day I moved into Loudoun in 1995.

Needing a sporting goods store, I stumbled onto Cheers in their old Sterling location and I have been a satisfied customer ever since. When I started LPS, Cheers Sports owner Denny Petrella was our first sponsor and his generous backing helped us continue our local athletic, education and news coverage here in Loudoun with the start-up of Viva Loudoun.

But if you know Denny and Cheers, then it doesn't surprise you that Cheers is all about supporting and helping local athletics. Each year they donate thousands of  dollars and gear to local leagues, schools and even families in need.

And that generosity crossed the county border recently as a Loudoun resident, Shane McLaughlin, approached Cheers, seeking donations to send to Point Pleasant, NJ, where his family lives. McLaughlin's father, Kevin McLaughlin, was spearheading the relief efforts and was looking for anything that could help his neighbors recover from the devastation on "Super Storm Sandy".

The Jersey Shore community was hit incredibly hard by the storm and its surge.

The Cheers staff sprung into action and boxed up clothing and sporting goods worth more than $50,000 and had it delivered to the elder McLaughlin.

Wrestling: Loudoun County Schedules Events to Help Raise Funds for Red Cross Hurricane Relief and Wounded Warrior Project

Leesburg (Nov. 6, 2012) - The Loudoun County High School wrestling team has two events scheduled to benefit two great causes -- a Blue and Gold Night intra-squad match on Nov. 24 to benefit Red Cross (Hurricane Sandy donations) and the Dec. 15 Duals for the Warriors which supports the Wounded Warrior Project.

Those interested in sponsoring the event please contact Raider coach Joel Caruso, coach_caruso@yahoo.com.

News: Loudoun Roads Take a Hit from Flooding, Wind

(Oct. 30, 2012) - While Loudoun County did not receive extreme damage from the super storm Sandy like coastal areas, the amount of rain and wind has caused major problems on the roads with VDOT reporting the following at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday:

News: Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman Asks Residents to Avoid Travel Unless Absolutely Necessary

(Oct. 29, 2012)- Loudoun County Sheriff Michael L. Chapman is asking residents to avoid travel on roadways unless absolutely necessary due to today's severe weather from Hurricane Sandy.

Although many roadways are passable at this time, slick roadways from wet leaves and deteriorating weather conditions are making travel difficult. Weather conditions are expected to further worsen today with heavy rains and hurricane force winds.

News: Latest from National Weather Service: Sandy to Bring Near Hurricane Force Winds and Flood-Producing Heavy Rainfall to Much of the Region Through Tuesday

Here is the latest from the National Weather Service:

AT 11 AM EDT...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE SANDY WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 37.5N...LONGITUDE 71.5W. THIS WAS ABOUT 315 MILES EAST OF WASHINGTON DC. SANDY WAS MOVING NORTHWEST AT 18 MPH...WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS OF 90 MPH. SANDY IS FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL ALONG THE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY COAST EARLY TONIGHT...WITH A LITTLE STRENGTHENING POSSIBLE BEFORE LANDFALL. SANDY WILL SEVERELY IMPACT THE REGION WELL BEFORE IT COMES ASHORE.

News: LCSO Prepares Essential Personnel for Potential Severe Weather; Residents Advised to Make Preparations Before the Storm

(Oct. 26. 2012) - With the possibility that Hurricane Sandy may bring severe weather to our area, Loudoun County Sheriff Michael L. Chapman has notified all essential personnel within the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office of the county's severe weather procedures.

Loudoun County officials are also urging residents to prepare now for the possibility of high winds and heavy rains next week. These precautions include simple steps, such as: