By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
A concert by country music recording artist Ricky Crook will highlight a day of fundraising for a 2-year-old Perdido child who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.
The fundraiser — for Ana-Lois Mercer, daughter of Chez and Megan Mercer — will take place this Saturday, March 26, on the farm of Steve and Mary Hicks, and will start at 11 a.m. Barbecue plates will be sold for $10 each; a corn hole tournament will take place; and a “split the pot” cash raffle will be held.
A live auction of numerous donated items will start at 4 p.m.
“A bunch of friends are doing this for the family,” said Shawn Brown, one of three family friends who organized the fundraiser. “Her parents have to stay out of work with her and run her back and forth to the doctor. It’s just been a big, big process for them.”
Brown said she, Mary Hicks and Ashley Smith put the event together because the Mercer family has been more than friends to them.
“They are friends, but basically like family to us,” she said. “They’ve grown toward us, so we three tried to get the benefit together.”
Crook and his Horseshoe Halo Band will perform at 7 p.m. in a barn on the Hicks property. There will be a cover charge of $10 per person for the concert.
The Atmore-based singer, whose songs have been played and purchased throughout the world, is another member of the “extended family,” Brown pointed out.
“Ricky is like a family member to us,” she said. “He helps us out with anything we want to do. He’s just a great man.”
Anyone wishing to make a financial donation toward the cause may contact either of the three organizers to do so. Call Mary Hicks (251-253-1199) Ashley Smith (251-404-2426) or Shawn Brown (251-422-5847).
The address of the fundraiser is 55520 Jack Thomley Road, Perdido, 36562. There will be signs to lead the way.