Hattoy's to Host 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day

When Ethan Hattoy and his family discovered that his aunt, Stephanie had been diagnosed with breast cancer last January, he knew he had to do something to support her and the fight against the disease.

It was then that he and his family, owners of Hattoy's Nursery and Garden Center, decided to host an annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day to raise money for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation (GGBCRF) and to educate the community about the disease and how to prevent it.

On June 3, 2012, the First Annual Hattoy's Nursery Breast Cancer Awareness Day kicked off with a cookout, live music, raffles, plant specials, breast cancer information from Rhode Island Medical Imaging and Gloria Gemma Foundation representatives, and more. The event was an immediate success, bringing in $7,000 to benefit the GGBCRF.

This year, the Hattoy's will be at it again from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 9 at their 315 Blackrock Road. (Like last year, the event has been rescheduled last minute to its Sunday rain date, as the area is expected to experience remnants from Tropical Storm Andrea on Saturday). Ethan hopes to exceed last year's fundraising total and has set a goal of $10,000 for the 2013 event.

The community is invited to spend Sunday afternoon enjoying a cookout with hot dogs and hamburgers, entertainment including music from Rich Ferri and Mary Day, raffles and more.

In addition, the pink Gloria Gemma Resource Foundation "Hope" bus will be at the event with representatives on hand to educate guests about breast cancer - a disease that one in every six Rhode Island woman wil develop in her lifetime, a number higher than the national average of one in eight. A pink fire truck from the Rhode Island Chapter of Pink Heals will also be on-site for guests to add their signature to in support of breast cancer prevention and awareness. All proceeds will be donated to these two organizations.

Once again, through the help of family members, friends and local businesses, the Hattoy's have been able to collect many generous donations of gift baskets, crafts, gift certificates, and other items which will be raffled off to support the cause.

Included in the list of donors for the second year, Mark Pare of Kent County Lawnmower has graciously donated a mower worth upwards of $500 to be raffled off at the event. Pare also took the time again this year to disassemble the mower, sand it and repaint it a bright pink hue in support of breast cancer awareness. 

In addition, Barefoot Pellet Co. has donated one ton of wood pellets for pellet stoves which will also be raffled off.

"It's looking to be a great turnout and we are expecting to reach our fundraising goal," said Ethan. "Make sure to stop by on Sunday and visit us to support a good cause!"