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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.
Bikes Will Keep Us Together, One Pedal at a Time
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Originally published by the Comox Valley Record – May 26, 2021
Registration for 2021 Comox Bike Co. YANA Ride opens June 1
The 2021 Comox Bike Co. YANA Ride is ramping up for another fully flexible, socially distanced virtual biking event. While the world makes its way through the final stretch of a pandemic that has changed the way we do things, the YANA Ride organizers are making sure that bikes will continue to keep us together as we see our way through to the other side.
Registration for the 2021 Comox Bike Co. YANA Ride will open online on June 1st.
Last year’s re-vamped, virtual fundraiser was YANA’s most successful ride yet, and this year’s event is set to be no different. Between August 1-15th, participants can choose the when, where, and what for their ride, in order to raise pledges in support of the charity’s funding and accommodation programs that provide help for children and pregnant mothers required to travel outside of the community for medical care.
Creativity is key, and the endless choice of roads and trails are the only maps needed for riders to chart their own path. Whether you set out to ride solo or gather a crew, bike a kilometre or two, or plan an across-the-island adventure, this year is all about creating a ride that fits with the current health protocols, but equally important, also means something to you.
Organizers are excited to be adding a 50/50 draw to the event this year. “The online 50/50 was a huge success for us at our Big Love event in February. Our lucky ticketholder won over $10,000! There have been some incredible jackpots for charity 50/50 draws across the province in the last few months, like over $100,000 and $300,000 big”, said YANA Executive Director Kelly Barnie. “We know how much our supporters would love to see that kind of money be raised for YANA families, and we would sure love to hand over that kind of cheque to a lucky winner. The 50/50s really are a huge win-win!”. There will also be an online auction loaded with a variety of bike gear and accessories thanks to Comox Valley Bike Co. and their generous suppliers, along with many other great items to bid on. Prizes for every fundraising rider and top fundraiser prizes, including the coveted original YANA Ride T-shirts courtesy of Dr. Andreas Conradi will make a return for the 2021 event as well.
Registration opens June 1st and is available by any donation, big or small. For more information and to sign up for this year’s event, visit https://www.yanacomoxvalley.com/yana-event/ride/. Together, we will let Comox Valley families know that we’re a community that goes the distance for one another, one pedal at a time.
We’d like to acknowledge Blaine & Shirley Kitchener for their recent donation to YANA. Thank you for helping us to support Comox Valley Families who must travel for the medical treatment of a child or pregnant mother!
One special thing about December in the YANA office is that we get so many daily reminders of the incredible and generous support from our community as they designate YANA as their Charity of Choice for Holiday Giving. We’d like to give a Warm & Fuzzy thank you to Keith & Sharon Ritter for their financial Holiday Gift!
As if the Comox Valley Firefighter crew doesn’t do ENOUGH for their community, they also put in time to chip trees by donation! A huge thanks to the Comox Firefighters Association AND the local community for donating the pot to YANA.
Thank you, Budget Blinds, for your charitable donation to YANA! We appreciate receiving your financial gift, which will help local Comox Valley families immensely! 
Celebrating 35 Years of YANA – Decades of Families, One Story
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Behind every YANA family there is a story. Behind every health challenge, every trip and appointment, there is a community rallying together to hold that family up. Each journey is different, but the feeling remains the same; no matter what, you are not alone.
April 1st marks YANA’s 35th Anniversary of serving Comox Valley Families. Through the years, through massive world changes and challenges, YANA was, is, and will always be an anchor of support and a reflection of the heart of this community, standing together to help families for decades to come.
A YANA Family Story – Kelly, Allan, & Cora
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In celebration of YANA’s 35th Anniversary we will be sharing a glimpse into the lives and stories of YANA families from across the decades, like Kelly and Allan, who encountered YANA’s support when they needed it most.
In June of 2020, Kelly Brown became critically ill and delivered her daughter Cora over 3 months early at Victoria General Hospital. During the family’s long stay away from home, YANA became the loving arms of a community that was there for them the whole way through.
“To know that we belong in the Comox Valley and have that big sense of togetherness, it’s just incredible. Sometimes you don’t feel the community is there to support you, and then you have a big fall-back, and it’s definitely there.” – Kelly Brown
Sending out gratitude to Keith & Robin Hill for their generous donation to YANA. We are so fortunate that our local community supports us in our mission to assist families who need to travel to deal with medical issues.
Match Eatery hosted a “Community Superhero Contest” and the winner was given a gift card and a $100 donation to a charity of their choice. This local community champion chose YANA as the recipient. Thank you to this amazing person, Match Eatery and Playtime Gaming Group for organizing such a fantastic initiative!
Thank you so much to Courtenay & District Fish & Game Protection Association for their recent donation. They decided to donate directly to YANA because the Driftwood Mall Christmas Tree Auction cannot be held this year. We appreciate your thoughtfulness!