We are excited to announce that Shari is our newest Volunteer of the Month!
Why we love her: Shari wears many hats at The Shea Center: Grooming and pulling tack; filling hay balls and scooping manure; serving on the BBQ and Drive to Ride committees. As a lesson volunteer, Shari learned the ropes as a sidewalker, and then trained to become a leader, a role she fills with compassion and joy two mornings a week.
Road to The Shea Center: Shari first learned about The Shea Center through an ad for the Annual BBQ, and then again through Volunteer Match, an on-line non-profit which pairs potential volunteers with a variety of local non-profit organizations. “I’ve always had a passion for volunteering and helping those in my community. Since I grew up on a farm in Kentucky, I’ve always enjoyed being around animals. It was time for me to take on a new challenge. Although I didn’t know much about horses I felt Shea would be a good fit.”
Years of Service: Shari became a volunteer in November of 2014.
Lessons learned: “I’ve learned that I can adapt to and embrace a new philosophy regarding equestrian therapy. In this process I have learned things about myself, horses, the clients and the logistics about volunteering at an organization like Shea.”
Favorite Shea Center memories: Shari has accumulated many memories as a volunteer, but she admits a couple of them are stand-outs. “Lessons with Mary and Champ, and being a part of Team Cash come to mind. But if I have to sum it all up, every day at Shea becomes one of my favorite memories.”
When not volunteering, she likes to: Spend time with her husband John, riding bikes, cooking, hiking and hitting the beach. She goes on daily walks with her four-year-old pug, Luca and her 12-year-old boxer, Jack. “I love spending time with my Mom, my friends and volunteering/serving at my church…and travel.”
She finds her bliss doing this: “After eight years volunteering at Shea, I still look forward to the time I get to spend there. My mind is only on the great things that happen while I am there. I love being around the horses, somehow that in itself is my bliss, my own personal therapy. And last but not least, I am in awe seeing the benefits Shea clients receive, simply by riding a horse.”
