Fun, Food, Friendship and Giving
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YANA has announced their Annual Dinner and Auction date, set for February 27, 2015.
This popular evening brings the community together in celebration and support of YANA. Dinner and silent auction are followed by an exciting live auction, featuring auctioneer Dave Stevens. Karen McKinnon presents a much anticipated photographic documentary of the medical journey of a YANA family.
“The YANA Dinner and Auction is our biggest fundraiser,” explains President, Judy Cryer. “Not only does it generate a large part of our annual revenue but it’s an opportunity to acknowledge the 28 years of support this community has given to YANA and helps ensure we will be here for 28 more.”
YANA provides accommodation and direct funding to Comox Valley families who need to travel for the medical care of a child or pregnant mother. Founded in 1986 by Sandra Williams, YANA has assisted hundreds of families and upheld its grass roots ideal, that ‘You Are Not Alone.’
To be part of the generosity that is required to host such an event:
– Donate an item or service for the auction.
– Create a gift basket or purchase an item with a group of colleagues, friends or teammates and donate in the group’s name.
– Sponsor a table at the event for $150. Your marketing image will be displayed on the scrolling big screen, and your business information on tent cards at one of the tables. Details on this or other sponsorship opportunities available upon request.
– Attend the auction by purchasing a $60 ticket. Last year tickets sold out in one hour! They will go on sale on Sunday, January 18th at 9:00am and are available on-line only at yanacomoxvalley.com.
“We are blessed by the unique culture of giving that has grown around YANA,” says Executive Director, Marcie Dumais. “This beautiful story was graciously shared with us by YANA volunteer, donor, and auction guest, Jenny Deters, after last year’s event. It is a lovely illustration of the impact of our community’s commitment to YANA.”
“An Angel Walked Into The Room” by Jenny Deters
I had such a great time at the YANA Comox Valley auction last night. While I was there it occurred to me that not many people knew why this organization was so dear to my heart.
At 20 years old, I was flown by helicopter to Vancouver wearing nothing but a hospital robe. Five months pregnant with my second child and I was told that my kidneys were failing. I spent a very scary two months on bed rest until, at thirty-two weeks, they decided they could not wait any longer and had to deliver my little peanut. Isaiah was born at just three pounds and he was a miracle. I was told he would spend the next two months, at least, in hospital care, with most of that being in Vancouver.
Two days after my son was born, hospital staff came in to inform me that I was being released from the hospital. They needed my room for someone else. My baby had to stay, of course, but I could not.
I had no money, no clothing, nowhere to go. As I sat crying in my hospital bed wondering what I was going to do, scared, emotionally and physically drained from the traumatic birth of my tiny bundle two days earlier, an angel walked in to my room. She told me she was from some mysterious organization called YANA and they were here to lend me an apartment for as long as I needed, two blocks from the hospital. She also was going to give me some clothing so I did not have to walk the city naked, and filled the fridge full of food. Basically she gave me the ability to spend the first two critical months with my son worry free.
This was a gift that I could never repay. This is why I love this organization and those who volunteer/donate to ensure that other families can have this priceless gift as well. Thank you.
http://www.comoxvalleyecho.com/news/community/fun-food-friendship-and-giving-1.1729518