News

Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride Confirmed for 2014

Posted on May 5, 2014

Local charity You Are Not Alone (YANA) have announced the date for this year’s Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride.

The ride will take place on Sunday, 17 August at Marina Park in Comox. There is a route for cyclists of all abilities including 25km, 50km or 100km rides. We’ll also be hosting a 5km family loop and a special run bike race for those not yet comfortable with pedals. To register for the event and to learn more, click here. 

Anyone who has a bike is encouraged to join the ride and for those who don’t, but would like to be involved, please consider volunteering with us on the day.

Last year 271 cyclists of all ages joined YANA and helped raise over $28,000, all of which went to help Comox Valley families in need. YANA’s Executive Director, Marcie Dumais, says, “The event is a defining part of YANA’s fundraising calendar, it’s great family fun and we are delighted that Simon’s are partnering with us again.”

Alex Dunae, 2013 YANA Ride Participant recalls, “I signed up for the YANA 50km ride on a whim and immediately regretted committing myself so publicly to the longest ride of my life.  But with friends and family committing cash, riding was the only option.   And so I rode.  49kms later I climbed Comox Hill and was grinning as I cruised to the finish.  I’ll definitely be back for 2014.”

Co-owner of Simon’s Cycles, Patti Fletcher, shares, “We had so much fun we’re doing it again. The organizing committee is working hard to confirm event details for this year’s ride, we plan to keep the routes the same. We know that people are scheduling their summer cycling events now and we want the 2014 Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride to be the part of those plans. We have also been able to confirm the training rides will be back this year – they are starting soon and open to all those registered for the ride.”

To view the 2013 ride video visit: www.yanacomoxvalley.com/events or for more information drop by Simon’s on Comox Avenue.

Photography Credit: DaveProtheroPhotography.com

YANA Week in the Schools!

Posted on April 30, 2014

YANA Week in the Schools is set for next week, May 4 – 9, 2014. The week will kick-off with Croquet for YANA on Sunday, May 4th at Highland Secondary School from noon until 3pm.  Many schools plan events during the week that raise awareness and funds for YANA, though many other schools support YANA at other times of the year. Building a partnership between YANA and our local schools provides an opportunity to celebrate kids helping kids, to teach social responsibility and to inform staff and students about how YANA uses raised funds to help local families.

Some of the events scheduled to celebrate YANA week include:

• Mark Isfeld’s Zumba for YANA on April 27th
• A bake sale at Highland on May 1st
• Croquet for YANA at Highland on May 4th
• A garage sale at Miracle Beach Elementary on May 7th
• A coin drive and bake sale at Puntledge Elementary on May 7th
• The next monthly Hat Day at Valley View on May 9th (they have raised $400 already from previous months – well done!)
• Principal (Kyle Timms) and teacher (Heather Freeland) from Courtenay Elementary are having their heads shaved for donations to YANA at an assembly on May 9th (photo below)
• Aspen Park Elementary’s Hat Day on May 13th
• Royston Elementary’s awareness assembly on May 14th
• Queneesh Elementary’s skip-a-thon for YANA on May 15th
• Vanier is having an Advisory Group Coin Drive and BBQ culminating on May 29th
• Cumberland Elementary will be hosting a fun fair called Village Fest on June 4th

A heart-felt thank you to all of the staff and students that are participating in YANA Week in the Schools and to the schools who support YANA at other times of the year.

Check out the article in the Echo about Croquet for YANA.

Kids’ Clutter Sale on April 26th

Posted on April 16, 2014

The Comox Valley Kids’ Clutter next sale is on Saturday, April 26th from 9am to 12pm at the Courtenay Legion on Cliffe Avenue.  The sale offers local families the opportunity to either buy and/or sell gently used children’s clothing, toys and equipment. Learn more about the Kids’ Clutter Sale here.

This semi-annual event has grown over the years and has been run by Chelsey Newton. Chelsey has supported local charities, such as YANA by donating partial proceeds from the sale. Recently, Newton chose to donate the Kids’ Clutter Sale to YANA, so for the first time, this will be the YANA Kids’ Clutter Sale.  “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to run this  semi-annual event for our community as a fundraiser for YANA. Chelsey has worked so hard at making this a successful event over the years and we are so grateful for her generous donation,” states YANA President, Judy Cryer.

The Kids’ Clutter Sale makes selling items much easier and also offers the opportunity to buy well priced and gently used items for children. There are hundreds of items to choose from and items often disappear quickly at this popular sale. Partial proceeds from the sale are returned to the sellers and the balance will help YANA with the work we do for families.

Photo: Chelsey Newton and her parents (the Nelsons) pass on Kids’ Clutter to YANA, represented by Judy Cryer, President.