2009 FUNDRAISER
                   INFORMATION 
                           August 7, 2009

             
  Once again we honored the memory of our daughter, sister, granddaughter, Goddaughter, niece, cousin and friend, Shayna Stefanik. Shayna was the daughter of John and Cyndie Stefanik, formerly of Pittsburgh and now of Erie. On August 20, 2004, Shayna was tragically killed in a car accident traveling from Pittsburgh to Erie. Shayna was only 18 years old but her short life impacted countless people in many positive ways. She was a dancer and the family clown who loved to make her family and friends laugh. Shayna continues to be missed by all who knew her. Shayna always lived life to the fullest even on her last day when she danced in the sand of Presque Isle with friends for pictures to display on a dance studio billboard and then traveled to the South Side of Pittsburgh to show friends the beautiful house her parents and family remodeled for her upcoming years in the dance program at Point Park College. 

When tragedy struck, it was imperative to us to find a meaningful way to continue to share Shayna's spirit. 

For the last 5 years we have held successful annual fundraising dances in Shayna's honor with the theme being I HOPE YOU DANCE. We  laugh and dance to her song 'BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP"  and always end up crying to the theme song "I HOPE YOU DANCE".  As a special moment dedicated to Shayna, we send her personal messages by way of beautiful white balloons and the outpouring of sentiment at that time can never be forgotten. This year we also sent special messages to all those we lost by way of beautiful pink balloons. The sight of all those balloons rising at the same time will always remain unforgettable. I guess the best way to describe the evening is to say "YOU JUST HAVE TO BE THERE!" Thanks to the generosity of so many awesome people an annual scholarship has been established in memory of Shayna. Every year since May of 2006, the family has presented the Shayna Stefanik Memorial Scholarship to deserving Mercyhurst dance students. 

Shayna had a passion for dance and with this in mind we sponsor our annual fundraising dances in her honor with the theme remaining as always, I HOPE YOU DANCE.   Once again in the only way we know how, we will honor Shayna by plain old having fun and dancing until we couldn't dance anymore. 

Please watch the website for information for next years event. We would love to see you there. 

Shayna's family and friends all know she will always be in our hearts and dancing with God in heaven.

WE LOVE YOU SHAYNA!