By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
Turning tragedy into courage was what local couple Andy and Stacey Mank did after their daughter, Penelope Ann, was stillborn. For the past year, family, friends and community members have been working together to raise money for the Penelope’s Gift charity.
“It’s really nice to see everybody come together and really make a good situation come from a bad,” said Stacey Mank.
On the day of Penelope’s death, an ultrasound machine wasn’t available at Medina Memorial Health Care. The maternity ward loans out its one machine to area doctor’s offices. Because of this, the family began raising money to purchase a second machine for the maternity ward.
On Sept. 6, a 5k run/walk was held, with proceeds going to Penelope’s Gift. Lakeside Karate in Lyndonville sponsored the event, with the help of family and friends.
“I lost it,” said Stacey’s mother, Beth Miller, when she looked up the day of the race, seeing many cars coming down the street. “I cried. They were coming there for us. It was very heart-warming. Everybody has been great.”
On Oct. 3, the proceeds were presented to Medina Memorial Hospital from George F. Kiefer of Lakeside Karate. A check for $2,457.63 was presented to help pay for the new machine. On the front, a plaque dedicated to Penelope Ann Mank, “the weaver of dreams,” which is what Penelope stands for.
Kiefer told the family how he thanked them for letting him tag along during the process.
“It was heart-warming,” Keifer said. “It has meant something to my wife and I.”
For Stacey and her mother, Beth, one of the rewarding parts of the new machine was when her sister became one of the first patients to use it.
“It is a very advanced machine,” said Dr. Michele Odrobina. “It is going to be very helpful here. We’re going to be able to use the machine for multiply other things, to help are patients, not just the OBS side.”
For more information about Penelope’s Gift and the 5K, visit www.lakesidekarateny.com/penelope’sgift5k2008.
