CERT is run by volunteers and it is supported by donations. The CERT Unit operates as an operations center for community events and emergencies. Volunteers are able to provide beverages, snacks, security and shelter, according to Director Bob Schmitt.

“We think this is awesome, because we are not [supported financially] by the town,” Lisa Riley, CERT assistant deputy director administrator, said. “The donations are an enormous help.”

For the community service project, 43 cheerleaders were given a specific item worth five to 10 dollars to bring in and donate.

“The Fire Department always helps us out with donations, and it’s nice to do something to help them out,” Co-captain Christine Forte said.

Co-captain Jordan Deguerie said that this is the first year in awhile that the squad is getting into fundraising and community service.

The cheerleaders will have practice at the end of the week and when school starts they will be starting their season.

Over the summer, each cheerleader spent six hours canning outside of Stop & Shop in Whitman and Shaw’s in Hanson.

The funds the girls raised went to their new uniforms, which they have already received, and competitions such as Nationals.

“This year is going to be quite different,” Forte said, adding that the team will now be a District I team.

The girls will be worked harder and more stretching and conditioning will be involved, she said.

District 1 is known to be the hardest level to compete in, she said.

“It is not so much about skill, but about the size of the school. There is more talent to pick from,” Co-captain Jenna Gilbert said.

The cheerleaders will be putting in several hours of practice a week. They will have practices on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:30-5 p.m. and they will have Friday night games after practice.

Schmitt told the girls that, if there is any kind of event or competition in which they would like a tent or shelter to use, they can always call on the CERT volunteers. To use the CERT Unit community members must call the fire or police department. The CERT Unit, which is housed in Whitman and run by Whitman volunteers, also services Plymouth County.

“We are one of the more active CERTs on the South Shore,” Schmitt said.

The Whitman CERT program has graduated 70 volunteers and has an active 20-30 volunteers that come to the monthly meetings, he said.

The CERT motto is to help self, family, neighbors and the community. For more information on the CERT program or how to make a donation call Lisa Riley at 781-447-7682.

“The whole community has been very great to us [cheerleaders.] Especially the Fire Department, which donates every year,” Gilbert said.