Stanz Benefit at Shawbucks

Frequently, the Jills are asked to appear at various charitable events in which they greet the attendees, sell raffle tickets, and sign autographs. Today in Jamestown, NY was one of those such events. Shawbucks bar was the scene where a benefit is being held today for Staff Sgt John J Stanz of the US Marine Corps. Last month, the young man was critically injured by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan and is currently surviving in a coma in the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD. A number of live bands are performing throughout the course of the day at the event with a $10 cover charge that goes to the family and the recovery of the injured Marine. His parents, owners of their own business, are at his bedside currently to be there for when he awakes by the medically induced coma. On hand for this event were not only 3 current Jills, but 3 more Jills alumni lending their support. Joining the pretty full barload of patrons were Murissa, Kaitlin, and Ruby (who helped organize the whole event) and former Jills twins Jill R and Joy (2007) and Dominica (2005). http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/buffalojills2005/2009/Stanz%20Benefit/

If you're in the Jamestown area, the event is still going on until 10 but if not, there are still plenty of fundraisers planned that you can find out about by going to http://www.rdido.com/Home/Events_and_Fund_Raisers.html and read more about Staff Sgt Stanz at http://www.truehero.us/

The Jills are still keeping very busy with the Bills opening up the season on the road with a pep rally at Fountain Plaza Monday at noon and an appearance in Fort Erie for MNF. Also, don't forget about the Edge Away Game parties being held this season at the Aud Sports Bar in Depew. I can tell you from first hand experience that last year's Away game parties are worth attending and the new location this year should only improve the experience.

The Jills next return to the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium one week from today as the Bills host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first ever regular season appearance at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The only time that the Buccaneers have played in Western NY prior to this was a preseason matchup in 1977! Besides seeing the dancers onfield just prior to and during the game, you can meet the Jills Ambassador Squad in the Fieldhouse and at the 97Rock and 103.3 The Edge Tailgate parties prior to the game where you can pick up your Buffalo Jills Swimsuit Calendars if you haven't already. And if you have, you can still get it signed by Buffalo's Beauties.

Buffalo Jill of The Week Jill R

This week, we take a look at one of the 2008-09 Jills squad's early departures in Ambassador Jill R. She actually started out her Jills career as a dancer in 2007 but a few weeks into the season switched to the Ambassador Squad because of all the time commitment. Unfortunately, that was why she left the 2008 squad early as well. When she joined the squad, she didn't come alone as her fraternal twin sister Joy joined up as well. A few months after making the final cuts in 2007, she became that squad's sole rookie on a trip to visit and entertain troops in Afghanistan in August of that year along with Eileen, Stefanie, and Jenica as well as since-departed vets Autumn, Emily, Melissa, Jessica Z, and Kaitlin B. After attaining a degree in math/science, she turned her educational attentions to nursing and is currently working on her degree in that field. To check out her bio, log on to the Buffalo Jills webgroup at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/buffalojills/ where we've uploaded a copy on her 2008 bio in the files section for the week.

Buffalo Jills and Bandettes Photos of The Week

This week, both of our Jills photos come from the recent Buffalo Jills Golf Tournament where 44 of the 48 2008-09 Buffalo Jills were in attendance. The first pic, taken before the golfers started showing up, features a pair of our beautiful new rookies. As Buffalo Jills, the girls need to be smiling as much as possible while on the sidelines and Ashley, on the left, is constantly smiling as it is. Dana was showing us her smile before any of the rookies as she was one of the prospective Jills who we were introduced to at the Jills Open Workshop when she showed up with veterans Jess L and Stephanie Bu.

Our second shot, taken shortly before everyone went out on the course, features rookie Lynn and 2nd year vet Jill R. Lynn will be flashing us her smile all season long from Jamie and Eileen's line and anyone paying close attention to the pictures the last few years knows that Jamie has her line getting group shots quite frequently. Jill R spends her gamedays as a part of the Jills Ambassador Squad and we'll see her at tailgate parties with 97Rock and 103.3 The Edge as well as in the Fieldhouse before games as well as with Billy Buffalo during a game on occasion.

Our Bandettes photo this week is another one from the post-game party at Pearl Street Grill and Brewery following the Buffalo Bandits Championship win this past May. This picture features rookie Justina and 5th year vets Kimberly and Erin H. Justina is a girl who's gonna have to stick with the Bandettes for many years to come. She made a proclamation at the post-game party that she must be a good luck charm for the Bandits. Kimberly is one of the most popular of the Bandettes going by fan reactions on the NLL Message boards. They created 2 sigs dedicated to her and another one that featured her and 2 of her squadmates. Erin H has been a captain for 3 of her 5 seasons and showed off her crowd control abilities as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the pregame festivities prior to the East Finals of the NLL Playoffs this past May.

Buffalo Jill of The Week Jill R

This rookie Jill started off the season dancing on Aimee's line but her personal schedule has gotten so hectic she wasn't able to keep dancing. Luckily, there was still enough time in Jill R's schedule for her to join her twin sister Joy on the Ambassador Squad and still be a valuable member of the squad. Maybe next season she'll be able to return to dancing though, as she's been involved in gymnastics and cheerleading since she was a little girl. She only spent two games dancing (the Titans preseason and the Broncos opener) due to the fact that she was the sole rookie in the group of Jills sent over to entertain the troops in Afghanistan in early August. Those girls got home the evening before the preseason home opener and were given the game off after their 12-day trip.

While we certainly hope she continues spending her Sundays in the fall at Ralph Wilson Stadium as a Buffalo Jill, I'm sure, in the next few years, that heart rates will be going up in the doctor's office when she finishes her education. For a career that is known as a popular field, Jill is looking to become one of the few Jills the past few years to be entering the nursing field. To read more about Jill, check out her profile at http://buffalojills.net/bios/jillr.html