March 2017

Let Them Eat Pi

Posted on March 7, 2017

Twelve year old, Jack Boan likes Pi.

In numeric form Pi represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to diameter. Pi is an irrational number that never ends. For math enthusiasts ‘Pi Day’ is celebrated each year on March 14 or 3.14, the first digits of Pi.

“Each year since first grade I have been trying to remember as many digits of Pi as possible,” explains Boan. “I challenge my classmates to do the same.”

Last year Boan memorized 605 digits and raised $561.00 for YANA (You Are Not Alone).Born 2 months premature himself and having spent weeks in hospital as an infant, Boan and his family have an appreciation for the support YANA offer families who need to leave the Comox Valley for the medical care of a child or pregnant mother. “We know families in the community that YANA has helped,” says Boan. “It means a lot to the Comox Valley, it’s a great cause.”

This year Boan’s grade seven class at Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary is joining in his fundraising. To pledge you can donate to YANA directly at yanacomoxvalley.com/donate/ (mention Pi Day in the notes) or through the YANA office.

What else happens on Pi Day? Boan’s class will be celebrating with pie, of course!

Rockcod brings Celtic music for YANA

Posted on March 2, 2017

If you like music from the east coast, traditional celtic music, and sea shanties, you’ll enjoy the music of the new band ROCKCOD. The trio members Tom Walton, Bill MacPherson, and Phil Comparelli are the featured performers at the next 1st Tuesday Fundraiser on March 7th. The fundraising event is at the Mex Pub, and donation proceeds will go to support YANA.

Growing up in Nova Scotia, Tom Walton is very familiar with celtic rock as well as traditional Irish and Scottish music. He plays guitar, sings lead and harmony vocals, and also has an ear for arrangement helping to steer the group’s distinctive sound. Bill MacPherson is from a muscial family in PEI cutting his teeth on celtic music. He plays mandolin and guitar, also sings lead vocals and adds harmony. ROCKCOD came together last October with the addition of Phil Comparelli, a former member of the rock group 5440. Phil has considerable musical experience, and although he’s new to Celtic music he has embraced the challenge adding the lilt of the penny whistle. He also brings a third voice which allows the group to perform sea shanties such as Barrets Privateers and Rolling Down to Old Maui.

Tom Walton, Bill MacPherson, and Phil Comparelli are Rockcod, the featured performers at the next 1st Tuesday Fundraiser on March 7th.

YANA is a local charity that provides funding for Comox Valley families whose children may need access to medical care outside of the Comox Valley. Their programs provide access to emergency funding and accommodations. YANA maintains four fully furnished apartments within walking distance of BC Children’s Hospital and also assists with finding and funding accommodation in alternate treatment destinations such as Jeneece Place in Victoria and other locations. Their priority is to help reduce the stress of families and in addition to providing accommodation YANA provides a daily, weekly or monthly allotment of funds to help with costs of travel, food, parking and unexpected expenses.

YANA also provides St. Joseph’s Hospital with funds to make available to Comox Valley families who have a child or an expecting mother who requires emergency transfer to another hospital. YANA has supported over 1000 families since it started in 1986, and works to raise $250,000 a year to operate its programs. This is largely done with the support of community members and volunteers.

“Even though my kids are adults now, I still remember the challenges of being a single parent, trying to keep my family together, and wanting to be everywhere at once,” says Tom Walton. “Even without the additional hardship of having a child with a critical illness, that can be a steep climb. We want to support YANA so that families who have to bring their kids for medical treatments away from home, don’t have to worry about being anywhere else but with their child.”

The music starts at 7:30pm at the Mex Pub, and admission is by donation. The evening begins with event hosts Judy and Bruce Wing, with performance by ROCKCOD and door prizes to follow. For more information about YANA programs visit yanacomoxvalley.com.