November's Most Valuable Participant

The staff at Sports 4 All Foundation is excited to bring you

M.V.P

Most Valuable Participant

Sharmane Pearson

How we met: Sports 4 All Foundation met Sharmane in 2009 through the health and nutrition program called Project HEALTH (Helping Every American Learn To be Healthy). Sharmane was a member of the Metro Parks Disabilities Recreation Program at Hartman Community Center where Sports 4 All Foundation holds Project HEALTH classes. These classes provide adaptive exercise and nutrition so that people of ALL abilities can participate. Sharmane had a tremendous work ethic and excelled in classes.  

Benefit of involvement: Like many adults with a developmental disability, Sharmane was overweight. As a Project HEALTH participant, she took an immediate interest in losing weight and leading a healthy lifestyle. Sharmane decided to make a dramatic increase in her exercise and a conscious effort to make better food choices both while eating out and at home. She has an amazing support system from her friends and family who love to see her making healthy choices. With more interaction with Sports 4 All staff, Sharmane began keeping a food journal and became serious about her workout routines. Due to her dedication to health and wellness, she lost over 10 pounds!  

Why we love her: Sharmane has a great attitude in class as well as in the office at work. Sharmane began as a volunteer at Sports 4 All by helping with Corks 4 Charity. Individuals, restaurants and retailers donate wine, champagne and synthetic corks, which Sports 4 All sells to raise funds for our programs. Sharmane helped by separating and counting corks, so that they can be shipped. She is learning to type on a PC and helps with typing donors’ email addresses into our database system. In 2011, Sharmane was promoted to an intern position and has taken on additional responsibilities one of which includes helping lead Project HEALTH classes. Sharmane continues to inspire those around her with her healthy choices and we love seeing her hard work pay off! Check out our website for the article published in November’s Edition of “Breaking Ground”.