Summers, a certified nursing assistant at Friendship Haven, was the recipient of a wedding giveaway for essential workers organized by local wedding and lifestyle photographer Libby Gargano.

Gargano wanted to do something for essential workers who haven’t really gotten a break during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all know weddings can be very expensive, so I just wanted to come up with a way to give back and give the opportunity to an essential worker who is engaged to have that really special day,” she said.

Gargano connected with many wedding vendors in the area to put together a $13,000 wedding package to give away, including the venue, wedding dress, decor, photography and more.

She shared a post on the Facebook page for her photography business, The Grey Collective, calling for nominations for the giveaway on Dec. 22.

Between comments on the Facebook posts and emails, Gargano received about 200 nominations for the giveaway. Some of the nominees were nominated several times, she added.

Gargano chose the winner and announced it on New Year’s Day.

The nominations called for stories about why the nominee was being nominated for the gift. Gargano initially planned to choose the recipient from the stories submitted. However, that quickly proved difficult.

“It became so overwhelming and the stories were so emotional and it was way too hard for me to pick on my own,” she said. So she used a digital spinner wheel to choose the winner at random.

Summers was at work when she was chosen to receive the wedding giveaway.

“I couldn’t believe it, I started crying,” she said.

She said it was a “huge blessing” for all the vendors and businesses to come together to give somebody a wedding.

“It definitely takes a burden off of our shoulders,” Summers said.

In addition to working at Friendship Haven as a CNA, Summers is a full-time nursing student and a mother of two sons. She just finished her final exams and will be taking the nursing boards in the spring.

“I just think it’s a really big thing for our community that all these businesses and vendors decide to step up,” Gargano said. “Obviously a lot of wedding services are higher priced items. For us to be able to give back to somebody who is really deserving and needing this, I’m just proud of our community for coming together and doing this.”

The wedding package includes Fort Frenzy’s The Cardiff Center for the venue; an engagement session and full wedding day coverage by Gargano with The Grey Collective Photography; full wedding day coverage by Brock Adams Visuals for videography; wedding planning and day of coordinating by Barb Bickford Vonsak; a dress from Annie’s Bridal and Dress Shoppe; DJ services from JAMM to the Music; invitation design from Good morning and Goodnight; invitation printing from Choice Printing; bridal jewelry from Modern Grey; hair and makeup for up to three people the day of the wedding; 10% off florals from Becker’s Florist; $200 credit toward Sweet Retreat Baking Co.; 10% off catering from Olde Boston’s Restaurant and Pub; up to six black tuxes from Sew Formal; $50 credit from Gaining Ground for a custom welcome sign; and $500 toward decor of choice donated by Vonsak.

In total, the services are valued more than $13,000.