PHILANTHROPY/SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Cheri is an active philanthropist, social entrepreneur and fundraiser. She has served on the board of directors of several organizations and chaired the Foundation Fighting Blindness' first annual VisionWalk in Denver in 2006, raising over $105,000. In addition, Cheri set up a health and exercise education project in Peru; she also runs a social enterprise, The Dog Waggin’ to raise funds for other non-profits.

Cheri regularly supports the following organizations in raising much-needed funds for their very important causes. Móre often than not, Cheri's fundraising is in memory of, or to honour, clients and friends affected by specific conditions. Cheri also walks, hikes and bikes together with clients.

• The Foundation Fighting Blindness, VisionWalk 2012
  

• Bike MS 150; National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  

• Tour de Cure; American Diabetes Association
  

• Pedal for your cause, putting kids with
  

disabilities on bike

• Eyecycle: Blind and Sighted cyclists teaming
  

up on tandems

• Buffalo Bicycle Classic
  

• Rocky Mountain National Parks Million Mile Challenge
  

• Special Ties Foundation
  

• There with Care
  

• Humane Society of Boulder Valley
  

• The Bridge School of Boulder
  

• Cash Register Climb, American Lung Association
  

• Venus de Miles, Green House Scholars
  

• Center for People with Disabilities
  

StrengthInsight

Improving your Quality of Life through Exercise

INTERNATIONAL

Cheri is always looking to create opportunities to bring the empowering benefits of exercise to diverse and under-served audiences. She has worked on or led several international and charitable projects to improve the quality of life of people and communities around the world. Below are two examples of her work.

Heart of Yapatera is a health and exercise education project Cheri co-founded in Peru to address the severe health disparities faced by the Afro-Peruvian community of Yapatera including high risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes. The project is based on bringing Cheri’s approach of empowering people with body awareness by educating them about preventative self-care through exercise. Cheri raised funds with private donors, individuals, families, a school and commercial enterprises in Colorado, Germany and the UK and secured a highly sought-after grant from the Embassy of the United States in Lima, Peru. She set up blood pressure clinics and rehab and exercise workshops, and trained local women as health champions. In addition, she built the first playground in the region, using local resources and creating local jobs in order to offer children the opportunity to exercise and develop motor skills, balance and strength.

Cheri travelled to South Africa and Lesotho in 2007 with Rotary International's Professional Exchange Program. She worked with children with HIV/Aids and children with visual and hearing impairments. She met with South African doctors and health care professionals to trade expertise, experience and skills.