(Naples, FL, - September 23, 2009) Mercato First Fridays will mix fun with fundraising on October 2 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM as another charitable effort -- “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” -- is introduced to the community. Suzanne Perry has been selected as the first Neighbor in Need and will be honored on October 2 in conjunction with Mercato First Fridays.
“Neighbors Helping Neighbors” (NHN) is an offshoot of iWannahelp.net, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed for charitable involvement by means of a comprehensive website. NHN will focus its efforts to raise awareness and funds for one individual each month that is in dire financial need due to medical expenses.
Perry, a Naples resident since 1981, is a master hair stylist at Franco’s Beauty Center. In January, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and later doctors discovered she also has the aggressive cancer gene. Perry has no health insurance. Surgical costs and expenses related to chemotherapy and radiation treatments are anticipated to reach nearly $100,000.
“Mercato First Fridays provides an ideal platform for “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” said Kristin Cartwright, Director of Lutgert Commercial Marketing. “We are pleased the committee has chosen Suzanne as our first “Neighbor.” First Fridays is intended to be a positive, fun event for the community and by incorporating a helping-hand program to our neighbors makes a good fit. Mercato merchants are enthused to be part of this compassionate endeavor in step with the mission of iWannahelp.net.”
Dance to the sounds of John Mameli band playing rhythm, rock and blues across from The Pub. Next to Whole Foods hear the creative sounds of internationally renowned DJ Mickey Nightrain. Fantastic food and drink specials will be featured, along with the North Naples firefighters selling their photo-shoot 2010 fundraising calendar with 50 percent of the proceeds being donated.

Join us for a special “Chinese” auction and buy raffle tickets for chances to win an array of gift certificates or merchandise provided by Mercato merchants with all proceeds going to iWannahelp.net. AZN will be participating with a $100 gift certificate; GiGi’s Children’s Boutique will donate 20% of the proceeds from sales of a “bottle cap” necklace made by an 11-year old girl at M3 Girl Design; $50 gift certificate to Whole Foods Market; pink petite duffle valued at $100 from Z Gallerie; 2 $50 gift certificates to McCormick and Schmick’s; Piola will donate 20% of the proceeds from food and beverage purchases at the bar from 6-7pm; make a donation at Blue Martini’s event table and receive a Ta-Ta-Tini!
While grooving to the sounds of Nightrain, stop by Whole Foods Market and taste up to 20 different wines for a $5 donation. AZN will have specials on beer, wine and bottled water; Register for a $100 gift card at GiGi’s Children’s Boutique. Grab a draft at The Pub who is setting up a beer tent during their Happy Hour. Other merchant specials include complimentary passed appetizers at Capital Grille from 4:30pm-6:30 pm and a drawing for a $100 dining experience; sangria and delectable Italian snacks plus 15% off bottles of wine at Piola; Signatures has a drawing to win a Glima tee; McCormick and Schmick’s happy hour from 6:00 pm until closing; register at Z Gallerie to win 1 of 3 $50 gift certificates and Happy Hour from 4-7pm at Blue Martini with discounted prices on food and drink specials.
Mercato fronts U. S. 41 just north of Vanderbilt Beach Road. Event hours are from 6pm-10pm with free covered parking. For more information visit www.mercatonaples.com
Find out more about Suzanne’s journey on her blog at http://suzanneperrysupport.blogspot.com and join her Facebook Group: Suzanne Perry Support.
To learn more about Neighbors Helping Neighbors, visit www.iWannahelp.net, where you can nominate an individual in need, make tax deductible donations or sign up to volunteer.