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Jilli Martini Trio to host next 1st Tuesday Fundraiser
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Jilli, Katrina and Farley play for YANA at the Mex Pub, March 6
The next 1st Tuesday Fundraiser, sponsored by the Mex Pub, will take place March 6 with featured guests the Jilli Martini Trio. Proceeds from the admission donation will benefit YANA, You Are Not Alone.
YANA Comox Valley provides funding and accommodation to families with children under 19, or to pregnant mothers who need to leave the Comox Valley for medical care. Last year, YANA helped with almost 400 medical trips and 53 emergency transfers. YANA helps ease financial and logistical challenges that families face in being away from home so that they can concentrate on the care of their child.
“1st Tuesday Fundraisers at the Mex are such a unique way to fundraise. We are thrilled that Jilli Martini is playing,” said YANA Community Relations Co-ordinator, Ocean Varney. “Jilli is a great YANA supporter and we’re looking forward to a really fun night. We hope the community will come down and check it out.”
The Jilli Martini trio consists of Jilli Martini, and a mother and son dynamic, Katrina and Farley Mifsud.
Martini is a well-known Comox Valley singer/performer. Jill and her various groups can deliver a solid dance-party band, guaranteed to rock your event, but can also be the laid back acoustic show of favourite tunes, up close and personal. Either way, you will be swept away with the ‘feel good’ energy as they entertain you.
Lead vocalist, Martini, can belt out a rock tune or sweetly serenade a gentle ballad. She has a wide vocal range – from clear and pure to deep, gritty and raspy.
Katrina, a self-taught musician born in England, would set out to busk in the streets of Leeds as a young teenager. Her musical endeavours were cut short and put on the back shelf to raise a family. After many years, Katrina has recently picked up her guitar and is playing once again, now alongside her talented son, Farley.
A gifted young player, Farley’s powerful connection with music is unmistakable when he plays his guitar. Music isn’t just something he does, but who he is.
The three share a deep passion for music. Their tastes and tones align naturally. Their selections of covers vary dramatically and many are on the more obscure side, but still pleasantly familiar to listeners. Their song list consists of classic rock (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty) to country and folk (Dolly Parton, Carole King, James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, Johnny Cash) and modern day (Evanescence, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Katy Perry). Their ability to rock out with their chill vibe and casual style makes them a crowd favourite in any setting.
The Comox Valley Food Bank, a regular at the event, will be there to accept food donations for families in need.
The evening will start at 7:30 with a few tunes by hosts Lainie Laughlin, Corey Francis and guest host Perry Johnson.
Thank you to Mercedes Lane Boutique for hosting a fundraising draw for YANA!
Big thanks to Coastal Transportation & Storage who did some staff fundraising for YANA last month and for helping us throughout the year in so many ways! We love CTS!
Our gratitude to the Comox Valley Lions Club for their recent donation to YANA and for their contribution to the New Years Sock Hop.
Many thanks to Boston Pizza who donated to YANA through their giving program. Very much appreciated and needed!
Thank you to the City of Courtenay for awarding YANA a grant-in-aid which we will direct toward improvements at our Vancouver apartments.
It’s a wrap, bidding closed
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our online auction! Bidding closed February 20. You will have received an email if you were a winning bidder. Purchased items can be picked up on or after February 27th at the YANA office. Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday 10am – 2pm. #102-2456 Rosewall Crescent, Courtenay (250) 871-0343.
YANA Big Love auction now underway
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Running until Feb. 20 at 9 p.m., YANA presents their first Big Love On-Line Auction with all proceeds benefitting YANA Comox Valley.
For over three decades, YANA has been hosting an annual dinner and auction to raise funds for local families who need to travel outside the community for the medical care of a child under 19 or a pregnant mother.
“The Big Love Benefit Dinner and Auction is our biggest annual fundraiser,” says YANA president Kelly Rusk.
“It remains a wonderful evening filled with generosity from our sponsors, donors and guests. However, we have always been aware that we are limited by the size of the venue and nature of the event.”
Over the past years, YANA has seen growing need in the Comox Valley related to medical travel which has resulted in significantly higher program costs. This has required the local charity to think creatively and to expand its fundraising.
“Bringing a piece of our biggest fundraiser online and opening it up to the wider community is something we’ve always wanted to do,” said Marcie Dumais, YANA executive director. “The business community and individual donors contribute greatly to auction, and we want to maximize their donations to our cause and increase the benefit their gifts bring to families.”
Links to the YANA Big Love On-Line Auction can be found here.
“Now everybody can find cool stuff, see the community’s generosity, and be part of the Big Love,” adds Dumais.
“We hope everyone will check it out,” said Rusk. “Remember to bid high and bid often for Comox Valley families.”
Online Auction Bidding Starts February 7
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From February 7 (9am) to February 20 (9pm), YANA will be offering a new opportunity for the whole community to participate in Big Love through an online auction. Now everyone can see our community’s generosity, find cool stuff and be part of the BIG LOVE needed to support local families. Register now as a bidder so you are ready on February 7th!