VIDEO: Area Cheerleaders Root for a Cure; Raise Thousands

Commack cheerleaders made up three of the 15 cheer teams to take part in the third annual Cheer for a Cure event on Saturday at Hampton Middle School.

The event was the largest yet with more than 650 spectators, according to Donna Oliverio, founder of the Southampton-based, non-profit Kids Stock the House, which helped promote the event.

Through ticket sales and raffles, the event raised more than $4,500 for the Cohen's Medial Center and the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, which houses seriously ill children and their families said Oliverio. The event was sponsored by the Hampton Bays cheerleaders, coach Katie Miedema, and athletic director Drew Walker.

Refreshement proceeds will be put toward cheerleading camp for Hampton Bays cheerleaders.

"On behalf of families of seriously ill children of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, I wish to thank Coach Miedema, all the participating cheerleaders, and coaches. All of you combined the best of athleticism and altruism; all of you are inspirational." said Oliverio.

During the event, the cheer teams entertained the crowd with stunt sequences, tumbling, dance moves and cheers with a grand finale that included all the teams (see video).

Particpating teams included Westhampton Beach Varsity; Ross Varsity; Southold Varsity; Mattituck Varsity and Mattituck JV; Riverhead Middle School, Riverhead JV, and Riverhead Varsity; Commack Elite All Stars Senior Team; Commack Eliste All Stars Junior Team; and Commack Elite All Stars Peewee Team; Pierson Varsity; East Hampton Varsity; and Hampton Bays Varsity and Hampton Bays JV.

Two of those teams were honored with a Certificate of Love from the Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. East Hampton Varsity Bonackers was awarded for being the first of the 15 teams to respond yes to the cheer for a cure invitation and the Ross Varsity Cosmos team was recognized for being the only team other than the hosting team, Hampton Bays, to participate in the cheer event three consecutive years in a row.

For more information on Kids Stock the House, visit them on Facebook here.