This is one of my best friend's sister. This story, and the benefit they were able to put on, I think is absolutely amazing. Benefit for Magnolia girl’s heart surgery ‘a miracle’ By Cari Herr Tribune Staff Through a sea of zebra striped and pink balloons nestled among pink table cloths, auction goers opened their wallets at a benefit auction held March 3 for Brynna Kay Kovanda. The benefit grossed more than $150,000 in a miraculous outpouring of generosity from the community. Pictured, 12-year-old Brynna Kay Kovanda (front center), and her mother, Jo Kovanda (front right), step-brother Braden Deckard (front left), father Edward Kovanda (front right) and aunt Alta Rickett (back right). “It was like Jesus feeding the 5,000. We ran out of food twice and the barbeque teams just kept sending over more and more food,” said Alta Rickett, Brynna’s aunt. The food tickets were not pre-sold and auction organizers got more than they expected. “I’m overwhelmed by the amount of love that poured out of Magnolia this weekend,” said a teary-eyed Rickett. Brynna Kay had open-heart surgery when she was two-and-a-half months old. Now, at the age of 12, the artificial valve in her heart has failed. She must undergo a $92,000 percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement, or an implantable heart valve. Because the procedure is not approved in America, the Kovandas must travel to Europe. The benefits of the implantable valve mean less wear and tear on Brynna Kay’s heart, and a greater longevity of life with fewer complications. “She currently has an artificial conduit and valve, but the valve is not working,” said her mother, Jo Kovanda. “Later, Brynna Kay will need the conduit replaced as well.” Within three weeks, the family marshaled their forces and organized the benefit, which served more than 1,000 plates of barbeque provided by more than 30 cook-off teams. Roy and Trish Moffitt, owners of Moffitt Customized Fuel of Tomball, and Wayne and Jennifer Hawkins, owners of Challenger Equipment of Tomball, donated an $8,000 trip for four to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Over 500 tickets were pre-sold at $50 each and netted $25,000 for the benefit. Paula Bowman of Magnolia won the trip. Magnolia Mayor Jimmy Thornton donated a registered golden retriever that sold to David Deckard for over $1,250. The puppy was then given to a smiling Brynna Kay. Rob Whitaker bought a blanket for $1,200 that Brynna Kay hand-made, then committed to have it monogrammed and returned to her before she leaves for London. A diamon bracelet which auctioned for just at $7,000 went to Dow and Shelley Bennett. The couple anticipates returning the jeweled wristband to Brynna Kay on her 18th birthday. Wayne and Jennifer Hawkins bought a triple layer zebra striped cake for $1,400, then gave it back to Brynna to enjoy. “God gets all the glory. This was not possible without him,” Rickett said. ----------- I don't really have a link, but it's from the Tomball Tribune. I'm talking to my friend right now (the girl's brother) and he's showing me this. I just think it's awesome, so I'm posting it.
