For the very few who do not know or have not met Merita, she is the owner/manager of Euro Pizza Café, located in Plaza Fountainside at Fountain Park.

Not only is she special because of her multitalented professional background and love for cooking and business, but she is “extra special” because her interests as a business person in Fountain Hills stretch well past the importance of overseeing the daily business of a great family restaurant.

Merita looks at our community from a broad, long-term perspective, which motivates her to participate in activities that are focused on the positive development of Fountain Hills.

On April 30, Merita joined with Four Peaks and Fountain Hills Rotary Clubs in hosting a kickoff fundraiser for the Rotary Community Musical Park. Dark skies and heavy winds did not dampen the enthusiasm of the many participants that had a great time trying out one of the instruments and learning about the new musical park.

Merita’s willingness to assist in planning the event activities and, just as importantly, her financial contributions toward children’s activities, live music, and significant donations to the Musical Park itself, helped turn the fundraiser into a big success with substantial donations and an enormous opportunity to inform the residents of Fountain Hills about this exciting new project coming to Fountain Park.

Merita is the “sparkplug” in an internal combustion engine. She continues each day to exhibit the energy and drive that won her the 2012 Chamber of Commerce “Business Person of the Year” award. It will only be a matter of time before she is recognized for her dedication and work toward making and sustaining Fountain Hills as a wonderful place to raise a family, live, work and retire.

Thank you, Merita!