Emmaus Cycle for Shelter Rider Spotlight: Why Sharron Norman Rides

Sharron Norman rides in 2018. (Courtesy file photograph.)

Sharron Norman is riding the 2018 Cycle for Shelter bike ride to benefit Emmaus. (Courtesy photograph)

Editor’s Note: The annual Cycle for Shelter bike ride benefitting Emmaus takes place on Sunday, July 22 at Northern Essex Community College. Ahead of the event, WHAV is profiling several riders and sharing why they ride. Here, WHAV gets to know rider Sharron Norman.

As one of the top fundraisers for the Emmaus Cycle for Shelter, Sharron Norman has learned a thing or two about asking for money. Her top tip: Always include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. “People think, ‘If she gave me a stamp, the least I can do is give money,’” the Newton, N.H. rider tells WHAV.

A recently retired ICU nurse at the former Hale Hospital, Norman started riding in 1994 and has fundraised for charity rides including the Boston to New York AIDS ride and the Pan-Mass challenge.

Those same initial donors continue to cheer her on as she rides for Emmaus, Norman said.

“When I started doing the AIDS ride, I had to raise $250. I thought that if I asked everyone I knew to send me $10, it wouldn’t be bad,” she recalled. “I just started writing letters and I’ve had the same people send me money consistently for 20 years now. It’s been awesome.”

Although she’s lost count on how many Emmaus rides she’s participated in, Norman estimates she’s done 15, most often choosing to pedal along the 100-mile course.

Norman will sit out the July 22 ride after breaking four ribs last month, but vows to ride her scheduled 100 miles this fall once she’s feeling up to it. After all, Norman’s not one to disappoint the 50 individual donors who have already contributed—or the folks at Emmaus.

“They help with everything: They clothe people, feed people, house people, give job training. They’re just awesome. They’re just so thankful for anything you do for them. That’s one of the reasons I switched to just raising (money) for Emmaus: You know that they appreciate what you give them,” Norman told WHAV. “When you do a ride for somebody else, you’re just a number. To Emmaus, they treat everybody personally.”

To donate to Sharron Norman’s Cycle for Shelter ride, visit Emmausinc.org

MEET OTHER CYCLE FOR SHELTER RIDERS

Darien Terrile – click here for his story

Sue Cullen – click here for her story

Tim Jordan – click here for his story

Chris and Cora Seferlis – click here for their story