13 year old singer, Jessie, receives Key to the City of
Naples!
On Thursday, October 20, 2011, Naples Mayor Bill Barnett
bestowed 13 year old singer, Jessie Michaels Cohen, with the Key to the City of
Naples. The surprise was part of the Key to the Cure Kickoff Event hosted by
Saks Fifth Avenue on behalf of Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support. The event
began a shopping week in which a percent of proceeds are donated to assist
Bosom Buddies.
Joetta Abbazio, President of Bosom Buddies, nominated Jessie
for the Key. Mrs. Abbazio and the young singer began their friendship last
October when the two met at Pink Night, a fundraiser for breast cancer. Since
then, Jessie, has used her singing voice to raise awareness for the charity.
Bosom Buddies offers physical, emotional and educational
support to women diagnosed with breast cancer. They also assist uninsured or
underinsured women attain medical care.
Jessie performed on behalf of Bosom Buddies at the Waterside
Shops and the Ritz Carlton where she entertained more than 600 women at the
annual fundraising luncheon. Jessie knows that she has found a charity that she
will always treasure. She is very grateful to Joetta Abbazio and to all of the
women at Bosom Buddies for allowing her the opportunity to learn from their
leadership, generosity, and kindness.
In his speech, the Mayor noted that Jessie is the youngest
recipient of the honorary Key. In addition to Bosom Buddies, Jessie has
provided more than 40 open air concerts in downtown Naples on Fifth Ave S. and
Third St S and has appeared at Cambier Park, the Mercato and Venetian Village.
Theatre goers will also recognize her to be Annie from the Naples Players
summer 2010 production