If someone in need has ever gotten help from an event in Plant City, there’s a good chance they know Sharon Moody.
That’s because Moody, a Plant City native, has spent the past 35 years giving back to the community that first gave her life. From youth sports to the Kiwanis Club, the only way to find out what she’s done — and get a quick answer — is to ask which local groups and causes she hasn’t gotten involved in.
“Anywhere that someone asked me to help, I would help,” Moody says. “That’s just how I started out. I’d never turn them down or say no. It just grew from that.”
TREATING OTHERS FAIRLY
Moody was raised in Plant City. Growing up, she dealt with segregation, but she remained positive whenever she could.
“I treated people the way I wanted to be treated,” Moody says. “You might have some hard times, back in the day, but things have come a long way.”
From 1979 to 1981, Moody worked with Hillsborough County schools as a teacher aide. After that, she went on to work for SunTrust and what is now CenterState Bank. In 1994, she began to work for the state of Florida as a revenue specialist. She later became the director of Boys & Girls Club of Plant City, from 2004 until 2009.
Moody has always loved working with children. It influenced her decision to work in schools and the Boys & Girls Club.
FOR THE CHILDREN
Thirty-five years ago, Moody took on her first gig as a volunteer: cheerleading coordinator for the Plant City Colts youth football and cheer program. Her children were also a part of the Colts program, and Moody remained with the team until they aged out.
Since then, she’s built quite a resumé with youth-centered organizations.
She’s been a member of the Kiwanis Club, holding the roles of treasurer, vice president, president, lieutenant governor and, currently, leadership chair.
Moody has also served on the Plant City YMCA’s board of directors, and she was a founder and president of the Plant City Junior League Woman’s Club.
Closest to her heart is the work she’s doing with the Plant City Black Heritage Celebration group, of which she is also a founder and president. The group’s summer reading program for children is special to her.
“I really enjoy that,” Moody says. “We’ve done it for the past five summers. It deals with at-risk youth. We work with them and feed them three times a day. Those might be the only meals they get each day.”
The program not only provides meals, it and keeps participants out of trouble and gets them on the right path for when school starts.
“We teach them to read, take them on educational field trips and bring in motivational speakers to help them go the right way,” Moody says. “That’s been my heart the past five summers. When they go back to school, they won’t be behind.”
For older children, the group also helps out with scholarship money. Moody does whatever she can to help the youths go to college.
“These children go on to do big things,” Moody says. “That makes you feel good, that you can help with something like that.”
A SPECIAL GIFT
Moody doesn’t devote all of her time to youths alone.
She’s on the Christmas Parade, Code Enforcement and Unity in the Community boards. Moody is also a member of the Plant City Greater Chamber of Commerce and the Plant City Coalition of Concerned Citizens.
She is currently looking forward to getting the Angel Program running to serve meals to families at Samuel Cooper Park during the holidays.
Somehow, throughout all of her commitments, Moody does find time to eat and sleep.
“I just enjoy organizing things and events,” she says. “It’s a gift from God, that I can put things together and make it work. Not everybody can do that — you have to have a gift, and the Lord gave me that gift.”
About Sharon
Who is your hero?
I’d have to say my mother. We were very close before she died, and I miss her. We used to cook things together, do all the holidays. She did a lot of the baking. We’d travel together. She taught me how to be a mother, how to raise your children in the right way.”
Use three words to describe yourself.
Honest, trustworthy and friendly.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
I’m not a morning person. I can get up early if I have to, but I’d rather not. If I’m working, I usually go to bed between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. I wake up around 8 or 9 a.m.
What is the weirdest food you’ve tried?
I really dislike veal.
What message would you put in a fortune cookie?
Love, cherish and treat everybody the same.
Tips for success?
• You’ve got to be persistent.
• You’ve got to be committed. Whatever I do, I have to be committed. You can’t stop and do something else.
• You have to be focused.
— Justin Kline