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Fishers resident wants to make difference for autistic youth

Current in Fishers - 10/3/2017

One Fishers resident wants to make a difference for autistic youth by raising money to donate to Special Olympics Hamilton County. Sharon Smith and her family moved to Fishers from Avon in March because of her three autistic children.

"Two of my children are nonverbal. We're really happy with the move to Fishers," Smith said. "Hamilton Southeastern (High School) was the only school that really understood what our non-verbal children need. They went from life skills to regular high school classes."

Smith created a nonprofit called Sharon's Web Autism Foundation.

"Mostly, it's run through eBay for Charity. Regular community sellers can donate 10 to 100 percent of their sales to a nonprofit," Smith said. "It's tax-deductible for them and they appear on a special link. Funds we raise are going back to the Fishers community."

Smith will hold a special event to help her reach her goal. Make a Difference Day will be Oct. 28 at 8 a.m. at Force Barbell,

14036 Britton Park Rd. and at noon at Pinheads, 13825 Britton Park Rd. Proceeds from both locations will benefit SOHC. Make a Difference Day is a national movement to encourage people to get involved in their community.

"There is also an opportunity for one of 14, $10,000 grants for our nonprofit. You can do anything

to make a difference," Smith said. "This is something I try each year but I thought with Fishers being such a good community for special needs it would be a great time to do it."

Force Barbell has special significance for Smith and her family.

"Force Barbell sponsors the Special Olympics Power Lifting. My children started doing power lifting shortly after we moved here and they love it, so we're at Force Barbell three times a week," Smith said.

For more, visit sharonsweb.com.