Invitation created by Friends of Mandy fundraisers

Many members of the Black Diamond and Turner Valley communities are grieving for a local family this Christmas as a solid community volunteer and well known mother, wife and friend fell gravely ill.

Mandy Janicki, stay-at-home mother of two and a well known community volunteer suffered a severe medical illness resulting in a devastating loss to her family, friends and all that know her.  

No time is a good time to have a family torn apart, but even more so during the holiday season.  So family friend Tammy McGonigle came up with an idea to help the family over the Christmas season and to take the heavy burden off of Mandy's husband.

McGonigle says that her idea started out as just a little helping hand, and has escalated to a huge fundraising initiative to help out the family in the long run.

"My idea when I first started it was to just give them a worry free Christmas, so he didn't have to worry about a turkey, a table cloth, a tree or anything like that." McGonigle says "It's just escalated from my little idea to a humongous idea."

Tammy McGonigle has created a huge silent auction event to take place at the Black Diamond Bar and Hotel on Sat. Dec. 3rd at 6 P.M.  She says they have a ton of prizes, wine, and live music.

"We've got two bands coming out to play, we have an extensive amount of wonderful silent auction items from very generous sponsors.  We also are going to have a ticket raffle, we'll have a 50/50, and a wine raffle as well.  McGonigle says "25 bottles of wine, $10 tickets, and one lucky winner!" will be included at the event.

The M.D. of Foothills communities have really pulled together to bring this family the most they can, while McGonigle tells us that "We've had humongous support from the community, they've been wonderful, generous, and supportive.  They (residents of the Black Diamond and Turner Valley communities) say they're coming out, they've given us stuff and they've been unbelievable." Okotoks, High River, Calgary and area businesses and residents have also donated items to be auctioned off and McGonigle says the support has been amazing.

This silent auction might be just the place to finish off the rest of your Christmas shopping, and help out a family in the community while you shop.  


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Janicki Family of Black Diamond