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Pink Tie Event Honors A Mom And Her Battle

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

VALRICO - Charlie just celebrated his fourth birthday, an achievement he proudly shows off by displaying four fingers when he's asked his age.

His big brother, Davey, is preparing for his first communion at age 6, a Roman Catholic ceremony in which he will be allowed to accept holy bread and wine for the first time. To prepare for that day, Davey tastes an unconsecrated host, declaring it, "not too bad."

While Davey and Charlie Mangold attend church with their father, Dave Mangold of Valrico, their baby sister, Mary Emily, 2, recovers from Charlie's raucous birthday party earlier that day with a nap.

Their father is grateful for the reprieve. The toddler has a difficult time sitting quietly in church, and Mangold's arms aren't quite long enough to control three squirmy children in the throes of a birthday cake sugar high.

It's on days such as this - when the family is celebrating a milestone, anniversary or special achievement - that the children's mother's absence is most evident. Wendi Mangold died in April 2007 at age 35 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

Dave Mangold said they still miss her. They still have "their moments," he said, but they're doing fine.

"Dave's a great dad," said Cindy Tilley of Brandon, one of Wendi Mangold's closest friends. "It's been very hard on him, but he's handled everything with such grace. It must be so difficult, because you see Wendi every time you look in the faces of those children."

To honor their friend and do what they can to find a cure for breast cancer, Tilley and other friends of Wendi Mangold decided to organize a fundraiser in her honor.

"Wendi loved parties," Tilley said. "In fact, she always said she didn't want a funeral. She wanted a big party. So we're throwing a big party for Wendi."

Called a Pink Tie Fundraiser, the event will take place at Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road in Plant City starting at 6 p.m. Saturday. It will include a wine tasting, food donated by a number of local restaurants and live music.

Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at the winery on the night of the event or in advance by calling Tilley at (813) 643-3928.

All proceeds will go to Team Zero, a group made up of Wendi Mangold's friends and family who will take part in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk Oct. 25 in Pinellas County.

"I want to make sure we're doing all we can so this doesn't happen to another family," Tilley said. "I feel that's what Wendi would want us to do."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Pink Tie Fundraiser, with a wine tasting, food and live music

WHERE: Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday.

COST: Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at the winery on the night of the event or in advance by calling (813) 643-3928.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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