News
YANA is generously upheld by the spirit and kindness of the Comox Valley. Check out what is going on and learn about amazing supportive efforts taking place within our community. We respect the privacy of our individual donors, as such this is a sampling of donations where public acknowledgement is appropriate.
YANA Ride set to roll in Comox
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Originally published by Comox Valley Record – June 8, 2019
With a plan for an even bigger post-ride party, the annual Comox Bike Company YANA Ride is set to roll this summer.
Kelly Barnie, executive director of YANA (You Are Not Alone) said the event, which started in 2013, is set for Aug. 18 at Comox Marina Park.
The newly branded Comox Bike Company – formerly known as Simon’s Cycles – is jumping on board with its longstanding partnership of the event, which serves to be one of YANA’s biggest fundraising events of the year.
“We’re excited to continue this collaborative event with YANA for sure,” said co-owner Craig Harris. “It’s a cause we believe in and a contribution to the community that we’re so happy to be a part of.”
Riders in the event will take their pick from a variety of scenic routes which include a 25 km, 50 km and a 100 km loop. There will also be a six km family route that allows riders of all ages and abilities to ride together. The post-ride party will be held at Marina Park where participants can celebrate their achievements and enjoy lunch, live entertainment, draw prizes and discounts at Comox Bike Co. for all riders and volunteers.
Barnie explained the ride caps at 600 riders with registration “pretty well spaced out” between the various event lengths.
“It’s so cool to watch the riders coming back into the park, seeing their supporters cheering them on, and celebrating their success and support for YANA,” she added.
“The whole community comes together to sponsor these riders, and we’re looking forward to the party in the park congratulating them when they finish their ride.”
Last year, 600 cyclists, 175 volunteers and 63 sponsors raised $70,000 in support of Comox Valley families whose children required medical care away from their home community. All proceeds from this event with benefit You Are Not Alone (YANA).
YANA helped 161 local families in 2018, funded almost 500 medical trips, provided over $140,000 in financial assistance and offered homes away from home in Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver.
For more information and to register for the Comox Bike Company YANA Ride, visit https://www.yanacomoxvalley.com/yana-event/ride/.
Big cheers to GP Vanier’s Leadership program. These students are leading their way into all of our hearts here at YANA! Thank you for your fundraising!
Looks like the sweet students at Ecole Puntledge Elementary School can’t get enough of baking and YANA couldn’t be more pleased! This other group of kidlets held another bake sale with the proceeds directed towards YANA. Thank you, students, for working hard to make a difference in your community!
Shout out to Max Oudendag of the BC Seafood Festival for raising funds and awareness for YANA during their recent Caesar Competition. We’d also love to acknowledge the generosity of Match Eatery, for matching the donation! Long live the Caesar!
Domo Arigato to Mac Newton of Toshikan Karate and his amazing students for fundraising for YANA. They performed 108 Kata (complex karate moves) which is physically demanding and can take about 3 hours to complete. We’d also like to acknowledge Arrow Gonsalves of House of Now for her contribution to the 108 Kata Event.
YANA sends out a big hug to Emma Greene, of Hair by Emma. She created a beautiful, bountiful raffle basket of goodies with help from friends. She raffled it off at her business and donated the proceeds to YANA. We are touched by your thoughtfulness, thank you!
10 yr old Ellie has a huge heart! In lieu of birthday gifts, she asks for donations to a variety of local organizations. YANA has been fortunate enough to receive her donation twice now. Thank you, Ellie, for keeping us in mind and helping Comox Valley families!
Thank you to the students in the GP Vanier Interact Club for their generous donation to YANA. These amazing kids fundraise throughout the year to support local charities. These are the leaders of tomorrow and YANA feels they’re already making a huge difference in the lives of our local families and kids!
Best Valley Vonka Fundraiser Ever
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Amazing things happens when powerhouse community champions like the Comox Valley Record, Courtney & Anglin Real Estate Group and Hot Chocolates team up with some fantastic prize donors & campaign partners to set a $10,000 goal. Over $13,000?!?! Sooooo awesome! Big kudos as well to Lisa Joan, founder of Isla Life Designs. Lisa brings a unique kind of magic to the annual chocolate bar campaign with her lively artwork. Her enthusiasm for wildlife with big colorful personalities shines through. And YANA benefits from the happy artwork to keep our office uplifting and kid-friendly. Thank you for supporting our YANA families! https://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/community/cheque-presented-to-yana-after-most-successful-valley-vonka-ever/?fbclid=IwAR3Cb7FpjnAaFQtA98gGdQREzU0Jq3lstZJSb-8dqzWPHvSzw2Tu0lyy11E
Photo by Terry Farrell
Kids love it when given the opportunity to dunk their school principal! High fives to the good-natured principals who took one for the ‘YANA team’ at the school district track meet. Our volunteers said the children were fabulous!
