By Sue Teggart
C & G Sports Writer

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The Roseville High cheerleaders took a few hours out of their day Aug. 6 and helped change the lives of their neighbors in Clinton Township.

The Panthers volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing by bringing together people from all walks of life to revitalize neighborhoods by constructing affordable homes.

Roseville cheerleading coach Monica Gabriel said her squad was eager to get involved in a charity that would give back to a community that has supported them in the past.

“(Clinton Township) is so supportive of us,” Gabriel said. “They participate in our fundraisers, so the girls wanted to do something to give back to them. This whole idea (to get involved with a charity) came from the kids … they have a lot to give.”

The suggestion to partner with Habitat was Gabriel’s, who has worked with the organization in the past and knew her cheerleaders could learn valuable life lessons from the experience.

“It’s something I’ve done in the past, and I’ve loved it,” Gabriel said. “It’s hands on, and you get a lot out of it.”

Along with pitching in and helping the community, the cheerleaders also hoped the experience would help bring them closer as a team.

“It’s good for the community to see young people getting involved, and it’s good for the team to see it doesn’t take a lot to make a big difference,” Gabriel said. “It’s good for the team to be able to say, ‘Look at what we did together.”

For the senior leaders on the team, the experience was rewarding, to say the least.

“This helps us get closer because we’re working together on different projects,” Roseville senior Molly Schafer said.

“We’re truly being role models, like cheerleaders should be,” Roseville senior Shelby Derooght said.

At the end of the day, both goals — building homes and stronger team bonds — were achieved.

“It’s important to see high school girls stretching their limit and boundaries just to help other people,” Gabriel said. “I think it speaks volumes about the team, that they’re all here and are dedicated to helping others.”