Arts & Entertainment
Sharon Thomas Gives Back to Help Others
As an adoption social worker and volunteer who helped after Hurricane Katrina, the Danvers resident helps those less fortunate.
Sharon Thomas helps children daily as an adoption social worker for the Department of Children and Families and came to the aid of Hurricane Katrina victims and helped the rebuilding effort. Danvers Patch spoke to Sharon and found out about her volunteer work.
Name: Sharon Thomas
Street: St. Hilaire Avenue
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Family: Son, Kenny, age 10.
Occupation: Adoption Social Worker for the Department of Children and Families
Find out what's happening in Danversfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Hobbies and Interests: Golfing, coaching baseball and helping rebuild areas hit by Katrina. In 2005, when Katrina devastated New Orleans, I felt compelled to do something rather than just sending a check. My church, the First Congregational Church in Swampscott, organized a trip for a week in May 2006.
While there, we were mucking out houses (mucking is cleaning out the trash and debris), and assisting in the rebuilding and renovating efforts. We also offered a lay outreach ministry to the folks there who just needed to talk.
As a result of the connections we made, we have gone back four more times and stayed in the Bethel Lutheran Church in Biloxi, Mississippi. We have volunteered in Gulf Port, Waveland, Bay St. Louis, and Diamondhead.
We are headed back for another week this May and will work in Port Sulphur, Louisiana, to do more of the same. This area was not only affected by Katrina, but also decimated by the oil spill last April. A number of folks from the North Shore will be going down. It’s not OK yet down there and people still need to go and help. It will take another seven to 10 years to rebuild.
Favorite Book: The Kite Runner
Best movie: The Kings Speech
Dream vacation: Europe, touring the Mediterranean, France and Greece
How long have you lived in Danvers: 4 years
What made you choose Danvers: I lived here as a young child and its proximity to everything I need. Danvers also has a fantastic library and is a nice New England community.
What is your favorite shop: Fantastic Sam’s
What is your favorite eatery: Danvers House of Pizza! Jimmy and his crew are great!
Where would someone see you around town: I can be found at CVS, cycling near the airport, at the mall and at the Portside Diner.
What would you like to see changed in town: I would like to see more diversity.
