Anthony Miranda, Susan Kilmer and Izabella Miranda (age 8) prepare items for an Aug. 12 garage sale to help Anthony’s sister whose new daughter will be born with spina bifida. (photo by John Gregory)
Garage sale will benefit infant
Susan Kilmer and Anthony Miranda are a married couple in Scripps Ranch with big hearts. They are holding a very special fundraising garage sale this Saturday, Aug. 12 to help Miranda’s sister and her boyfriend who are expecting a baby girl later this month.
Doctors have warned that the child has spina bifida. This means the child’s spine does not close and is exposed. She has been diagnosed with the most severe form of spina bifida called myelomenigocele. While no one knows exactly what type of disabilities the child will be born with, they know a surgery will be performed to close the spinal cord the day after she is born, and there is also the possibilty of shunts being put in her head to drain fluid to prevent any brain damage. She will then spend the first month of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Miranda’s sister, Lea Miranda, and her boyfriend, Chris McKernan, live in Geyserville, California, about a 1-hour and 20-minute drive north of San Francisco. The couple has been together for seven years and they already have a daughter, Marcella, age 2.
Lea is Anthony’s little sister and the two were raised in Healdsburg, California.
“We share the exact same birthday and we’re 15 years apart,” Anthony explained. “So, she was my 15th birthday present.”
Unfortunately, most of the expectant couple’s medical insurance has been used and will not cover the upcoming costs of care for the new infant girl. In addition, the hospital is an hour-and-a-half drive from their home.
“That’s why my wife came up with the idea for the yard sale, to try to find a way for us to help out more than we have already,” Anthony said.
All the money raised at the garage sale will go to help pay for the child’s medical bills, hotel stays near the hospital and any special equipment needed to care for the baby.
Cause: Miranda-McKernan baby’s medical expenses

Saturday, Aug. 12

7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

11950 Handrich Drive

Scripps Ranch
“Susan started this yard sale, asking for items on Buy Nothing Scripps Ranch through Facebook about three weeks ago, and people keep coming across it and they’re still asking us to pick up stuff from them. …” Anthony said. “When we talk to the people, they’ve had nothing but kind words to say and wish they could actually do more.”
All the items collected so far were donated by Scripps Ranch neighbors. They include lots of housewares; a desk; two barstools; a kid’s dresser; children’s bikes; a jewelry box; clothes for women, men and young children; and more. They will also have lemonade and brownies for sale.
“Even if you don’t come to buy anything, my 8-year-old daughter (Izabella) decided she wanted to do a lemonade stand to raise money herself to help as well,” Anthony said. “There will be something for everybody.”
The garage sale will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 11950 Handrich Drive.
Those wishing to help may still drop off items for the garage sale at the doorstep. In addition, a GoFundMe page has been set up for this cause. Visit gofundme.com/help4mmbaby.
Contact Scripps Ranch News if you know of any local fundraisers or charitable events in our area that need coverage: john@scrippsranchnews.com