May 14, 2019 at 11:15AM
Nonprofit has to vacate two storefronts as market prepares to move into center at Haddonfield-Berlin and Brace roads. Sheri Berkery, Courier-Post
CHERRY HILL - More than 40 young South Jersey cheerleaders face a change in routine as their organization merges into another.
The move came after Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading was given 60 days to leave its practice space in the shopping center at Haddonfield-Berlin and Brace roads. Two other tenants, the Cherry Hill Food Pantry and the Cherry Hill Performing Arts Center, also had their license agreements terminated as an Asian market prepares to move to the center.
The performing arts group will move to another property in the township on Marlton Pike. The food pantry is still looking for a new home.
"We have to close. We were unable to find a space," said Veronica Apoldo, who founded the award-winning cheer organization in 2010.
More: Food pantry, other tenants affected as shopping center prepares for new market
More: South Jersey baseball Mean 15 rankings for May 12
More: Prom 2019: South Jersey high schools celebrate in red-carpet style
Apoldo notified parents in an emotional message over the weekend, writing "it is with the utmost sadness that I must announce that CHYC will cease independent operations effective immediately."
Parents who paid for the upcoming season will have their fees refunded, she noted.
Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading won a number of national titles over its nine-year run. After a new shopping center tenant canceled the group's lease, it was unable to find a suitable new space. (Photo: Provided)
CHYC will fold into Oaklyn Cats Cheerleading, which holds its practices in Barrington. Several of the Cherry Hill group's coaches will move to the new organization.
When Apoldo hosts a parent meeting at the CHYC facility on Tuesday night, representatives from the Oaklyn Cats will also be on hand to answer questions.
"It's great for the kids. The kids are the most important ones. I couldn't keep going without somewhere for them to go to," Apoldo said, noting her own daughter is among the cheerleaders affected by the change.
CHYC had been paying a discounted rent to Kimco Realty, and Apoldo expressed disappointment that her nonprofit group was unable to secure a space within budget or with the adequate ceiling height for cheer practices.
"What I did was all volunteer," said Apoldo. "I was doing it to benefit the community."
As Cherry Hill Township continues to aid the food pantry it its own urgent search for a new home, officials were saddened to learn about the cheer organization disbanding, said Erin Patterson Gill, chief of staff to Mayor Chuck Cahn.
"Obviously the township is extremely disappointed they were not able to find space," Gill said.
Apoldo, who worked a full-time job while also running the cheer group, said she "made a tremendous amount of sacrifices for the organization."
Kids of all ages competed with Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading, which will now merge with another organization after losing the lease for its practice facility. (Photo: Provided)
"I started with nothing and turned it into something. It's not about me, it's always about the kids. I'm happy for them," she said.
There's a silver lining for Apoldo too, as she said she'll now have more time to spend with her teenage sons.
As the Oaklyn Cats prepare for an influx of new cheerleaders, president Kim Pfefferle said she plans to do everything she can to make the new athletes welcome.
"For us, we are so happy they chose the Oaklyn Cats," she said.
Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading celebrated many championships since being founded in 2010. Now the group will merge with the Oaklyn Cats after losing the lease on its practice space. (Photo: Provided)
CHYC will also donate its mats to the group.
"It really will give the kids at Cherry Hill the chance to be part of a bigger organization," Pfefferle said, adding the Oaklyn Cats will start participating in Cherry Hill community events to establish ties there.
The Oaklyn Cats typically manage eight teams of 130 to 150 cheerleaders from ages 3 to 18 who live in towns throughout South Jersey, she said. Like CHYC, the Cats have won numerous national titles.
Pfefferle said she hopes the cheerleaders from CHYC will enjoy the same types of bonds she has seen form through the Oaklyn Cats.
"It goes beyond the cheerleading. The kids have made lifelong friends.It really is a family atmosphere."
Sheri Berkery: @SheriBerkery; 856-486-2673; sberkery@gannettnj.com
Oaklyn Cats Cheerleading will soon welcome its counterparts from Cherry Hill into the fold. Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading is merging with the other organization after it lost the lease on its practice facility. (Photo: Provided)
Info for parents
Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading will hold a parent meeting about its merger at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at its practice facility at 1469 Brace Road. Representatives from Oaklyn Cats Cheerleading will be available to answer questions.
The Oaklyn Cats will hold an open house from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at 1301 Clements Bridge Road. Visitors can meet coaches, view performances and ask questions. oaklyncatscheerleading.com
Read or Share this story: https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2019/05/13/cherry-hill-youth-cheerleading-merges-oaklyn-cats/1187430001/
Nonprofit has to vacate two storefronts as market prepares to move into center at Haddonfield-Berlin and Brace roads. Sheri Berkery, Courier-Post
CHERRY HILL - More than 40 young South Jersey cheerleaders face a change in routine as their organization merges into another.
The move came after Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading was given 60 days to leave its practice space in the shopping center at Haddonfield-Berlin and Brace roads. Two other tenants, the Cherry Hill Food Pantry and the Cherry Hill Performing Arts Center, also had their license agreements terminated as an Asian market prepares to move to the center.
The performing arts group will move to another property in the township on Marlton Pike. The food pantry is still looking for a new home.
"We have to close. We were unable to find a space," said Veronica Apoldo, who founded the award-winning cheer organization in 2010.
More: Food pantry, other tenants affected as shopping center prepares for new market
More: South Jersey baseball Mean 15 rankings for May 12
More: Prom 2019: South Jersey high schools celebrate in red-carpet style
Apoldo notified parents in an emotional message over the weekend, writing "it is with the utmost sadness that I must announce that CHYC will cease independent operations effective immediately."
Parents who paid for the upcoming season will have their fees refunded, she noted.
Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading won a number of national titles over its nine-year run. After a new shopping center tenant canceled the group's lease, it was unable to find a suitable new space. (Photo: Provided)
CHYC will fold into Oaklyn Cats Cheerleading, which holds its practices in Barrington. Several of the Cherry Hill group's coaches will move to the new organization.
When Apoldo hosts a parent meeting at the CHYC facility on Tuesday night, representatives from the Oaklyn Cats will also be on hand to answer questions.
"It's great for the kids. The kids are the most important ones. I couldn't keep going without somewhere for them to go to," Apoldo said, noting her own daughter is among the cheerleaders affected by the change.
CHYC had been paying a discounted rent to Kimco Realty, and Apoldo expressed disappointment that her nonprofit group was unable to secure a space within budget or with the adequate ceiling height for cheer practices.
"What I did was all volunteer," said Apoldo. "I was doing it to benefit the community."
As Cherry Hill Township continues to aid the food pantry it its own urgent search for a new home, officials were saddened to learn about the cheer organization disbanding, said Erin Patterson Gill, chief of staff to Mayor Chuck Cahn.
"Obviously the township is extremely disappointed they were not able to find space," Gill said.
Apoldo, who worked a full-time job while also running the cheer group, said she "made a tremendous amount of sacrifices for the organization."
Kids of all ages competed with Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading, which will now merge with another organization after losing the lease for its practice facility. (Photo: Provided)
"I started with nothing and turned it into something. It's not about me, it's always about the kids. I'm happy for them," she said.
There's a silver lining for Apoldo too, as she said she'll now have more time to spend with her teenage sons.
As the Oaklyn Cats prepare for an influx of new cheerleaders, president Kim Pfefferle said she plans to do everything she can to make the new athletes welcome.
"For us, we are so happy they chose the Oaklyn Cats," she said.
Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading celebrated many championships since being founded in 2010. Now the group will merge with the Oaklyn Cats after losing the lease on its practice space. (Photo: Provided)
CHYC will also donate its mats to the group.
"It really will give the kids at Cherry Hill the chance to be part of a bigger organization," Pfefferle said, adding the Oaklyn Cats will start participating in Cherry Hill community events to establish ties there.
The Oaklyn Cats typically manage eight teams of 130 to 150 cheerleaders from ages 3 to 18 who live in towns throughout South Jersey, she said. Like CHYC, the Cats have won numerous national titles.
Pfefferle said she hopes the cheerleaders from CHYC will enjoy the same types of bonds she has seen form through the Oaklyn Cats.
"It goes beyond the cheerleading. The kids have made lifelong friends.It really is a family atmosphere."
Sheri Berkery: @SheriBerkery; 856-486-2673; sberkery@gannettnj.com
Oaklyn Cats Cheerleading will soon welcome its counterparts from Cherry Hill into the fold. Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading is merging with the other organization after it lost the lease on its practice facility. (Photo: Provided)
Info for parents
Cherry Hill Youth Cheerleading will hold a parent meeting about its merger at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at its practice facility at 1469 Brace Road. Representatives from Oaklyn Cats Cheerleading will be available to answer questions.
The Oaklyn Cats will hold an open house from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at 1301 Clements Bridge Road. Visitors can meet coaches, view performances and ask questions. oaklyncatscheerleading.com
Read or Share this story: https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2019/05/13/cherry-hill-youth-cheerleading-merges-oaklyn-cats/1187430001/