November 2014
Driftwood Mall Supports YANA with Annual Christmas Tree Auction
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During the weeks of November 22nd to December 6th, Driftwood Mall is hosting its Annual Christmas Tree Auction for YANA.
This event roots back to 1999 when Heather Tisdall, past manager at Hallmark Cards, was asked by the Driftwood Mall if she would like to organize a Christmas Tree Auction for YANA.
“Of course I did,” says event coordinator Tisdall. “And that first year was so much fun, I’ve been doing it ever since.”
For fourteen years local businesses, families and individuals have been decorating trees which are then displayed in the mall for two weeks, ending December 6. A silent auction during that time allows the public to bid on their favourite tree. Tisdall is on site, overseeing bids, for the full two weeks, from morning until night.
“This is a fantastic event and a big fundraiser for YANA,” says YANA President, Judy Cryer. “Heather does an amazing job and we are so grateful to the Driftwood Mall and all the wonderful businesses and individuals who donate these beautiful trees. Their continued support for YANA and our community means so much.”
For her part, Tisdall puts it simply, “This makes me feel good. YANA reached out to help with my grandsons and I just want to give back.”
“You can take home a fully decorated tree or use it at your business or donate it to a family who may need one,” finishes Cryer. “Either way, you are helping YANA and our community and that is the true spirit of the holidays.”
This year there are 32 trees to bid on, some complete with gifts, ready to go home with the lucky winners.
Here’s who is participating this year:
Chalifoux/Luscombe Family; Courtenay Fish and Game; In Loving Memory of Kaiya Williams; London Drugs; Trisha Randle; Driftwood Ticket Centre; Tisdall/Godfrey/Van Cleave Family; CV Business Network; Kelli Andrews; Team Deters/Team Behan; Investors Group Financial; All In One Party Shop; Boston Pizza; Comox Airport; Target; Generation Gap; Vrable Family; McKenzie Gartside; Kingfisher; Needle Loft/Seams Perfectly Simple; K.W. Electric; Banks/Razmus Family; The Bisque Restaurant; Quality Foods and A Step Above; Gayles Grooming In Memory of Kweil Lewis; Home Depot; The Rushton Family; Angels; Ecole Au-Coeur-De-Lile; Mosaic Vision Care; Sandi Piper; and The Tee Box.
ADI Benefits screened the 80s favourite, Ghostbusters, and provided a fun movie experience for families. Thank you to all attendees and to Adam Duncan and his family for hosting the event. Good people doing good things for the community!
The kind-hearted folks at Courtenay Plumbing were inspired by the community spirit that they experienced at Morning at the Movies and generously matched Ghostbuster-goers entry donations! We love when this kind of philanthropy happens. Thank you!
Thank you to our friends at the Coastal Community Credit Union on 4th Street for hosting a hotdog sale with proceeds to YANA as part of their celebration of International Credit Union Day.
A huge thank you to those involved with our Kids’ Clutter sale this fall. We appreciate all sellers, donors, buyers and volunteers who contributed to this successful event. Special thanks to Tanya Del Bianco, our lead organizer, and to Dennyse Harris. Both of these outstanding volunteers put in many hours to make the sale run smoothly.
Did you know that Coastal Transportation & Storage help us by storing the clothing racks for Kids’ Clutter throughout the year at no cost to YANA? They also transport the racking system before and after the event. We are incredibly grateful to have the support of this community-minded business!
We made 5,000 Christmas crackers in record time this year thanks to an amazing volunteer response and tremendous leadership by YANA Board Director, Lesley Hunter! Thanks to everyone who shared their time and talent.
Thank you to Tom Harris Cellular who does a variety of neat things throughout the year with their staff and customers to raise money for YANA.
Sophia Barlow celebrated her 4th birthday with party donations to YANA. It is very special to see kids helping other kids in this way.
Finlay Boggan celebrated his 5th birthday and donated his birthday money to YANA. What a sweetie!