Media sponsors: Neapolitan Family publishers Stacy Nicolau and Leigh Ann Newman
NAPLES,FL. An estimated 2400 people attended the Naples Moms Shop & Play event held on Sunday, December 5th, 2021 at Baker Park.
Over 50 vendors participated in the indoor and outdoor event, including food trucks, small businesses, first responders, and children’s activities such as a play space, hair braiding, crafts, and a bounce house. Of course, the overall setting was in Baker Park, with its popular walkways and playgrounds.
Event sponsors: Lauren Smith, Director of Operations, and Lyndsey Creech, Realtor®, The Nest at Domain Realty
Naples Moms Facebook group administrator Judy Huntley explained that the Naples Moms Facebook group only allows members to post about their businesses on the first day of the month only, and at anytime in their subgroup, Naples Moms Marketplace.
“We (were) beyond excited to host this event and have the virtual meet the real world,” Huntley said. “Many of our members have had their businesses grow from hobbies and passion projects to full fledged and extremely successful endeavors right before our eyes.”
The Naples Moms online community grew out of a desire to create a safe space for local moms to find support. “Moms groups are historically known for being sometimes mean spirited and dishing out more shame than advice,”Huntley said. “I knew that we could cultivate a group that not only met the needs of our area moms but also one where we could build an actual community. We strive for an uplifting, friendly environment where there are no bounds to the resources available to our members.”
The Facebook group has since bloomed into a significant crowdsourcing resource for members in need.
“For Christmases of the past, we have raised over $20,000 for needy families and delivered trunkfuls of magic to dozens of kids,” Huntley explained. “During the pandemic, we had a secret group that came together to pay rents, buy groceries, pay off electric bills, really profoundly show up financially, physically, and emotionally for other members when they needed it. We have helped women leave dangerous situations, helped them find breast milk when they're out, find that mom friend at the park they wished they'd swapped numbers with, or find the last minute Halloween costume item. I've been truly blessed to watch it all unfold and have a hand in matching resources to those that need them.”