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You Are Not Alone’s Big Love Benefit Goes Feb. 24
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You Are Not Alone Comox Valley is looking forward to hosting the Big Love Benefit on Friday, Feb. 24.
Over 300 guests will fill the Florence Filberg for an evening filled with friends, fun, and the spirit of giving. A silent auction and a delicious dinner by Tria Fine Catering will be followed by a heartfelt photo presentation by McKinnon Photography featuring a YANA family. A raffle for WestJet tickets and an exciting live auction led by Dave Stevens will add to the fun along with some other surprises.
“There is a lot of excitement around this event,” says YANA board director Lauren Clark, who is in her second year on the planning committee. “We want it to feel as special for everyone who attends as it is for us.”
“It is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” adds YANA president Judy Cryer. “So naturally it is very important to our organization, but it is also a real celebration of the community that comes together throughout the year to support YANA families.”
Photograph by John Bonner courtesy of McKinnon Photography
YANA provides funding and accommodation to local children under 19 and pregnant mothers who need to travel outside the region for medical care. YANA maintains four furnished apartments near BC Children’s hospital in Vancouver and also provides accommodation in Victoria, Nanaimo, and other treatment locations. YANA’s funding and emergency programs assist families with some of the expenses of being away from home, such as food and travel.
This year You Are Not Alone marked its 30th year of service in the Comox Valley. YANA was founded by Sandra Williams after she experienced the sudden illness of her daughter and many months of subsequent medical treatment in Vancouver. Her vision of supporting local children and creating a home away from home for Comox Valley families in similar circumstances was realized in 1986 when YANA became a registered charity.
“Thirty years is really an amazing milestone!” says Clark. “It speaks volumes about who we are as a community.”
“I couldn’t be prouder to be continuing Sandra’s dream or prouder to live in the Comox Valley,” added Cryer.
To be part of the generosity that is required to host such an event, you can donate an item or service for the auction. Consider getting a group of colleagues, friends or teammates together to donate jointly. Or help cover event expenses by becoming a sponsor of the Big Love Benefit. Please call 250-871-0343 or email events@yanacomoxvalley.com for further details.
Interested in attending? Tickets go on sale Sunday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. and are sold online through YANA’s online ticket store. Tickets are $75 each. Last year tickets sold out in five minutes so mark your calendars and set your alarm clocks.
A shout-out to the White Whale for offering such fun events and including YANA in the festivities. We were thrilled to be part of your New Year’s celebration.
A big thank you to Branch 160 of the Royal Canadian Legion and to the Ladies Auxiliary. Your commitment to YANA is deeply appreciated.
Sweet Kylie celebrated her 8th birthday with a toonie party for YANA. Thank you!
Thank you to the Playhouse Café for hosting a fundraiser for YANA and showing us lots of love.
Our gratitude to Robert A. Couture who sold the most adorable stuffed bears as a fundraiser for YANA.
Thank you to Division 8 at Puntledge Elementary School for sharing some of the proceeds from their recent entrepreneur fair. Creative, caring kids rock and so does their teacher!
Thank you to Tom Harris Cellular who hosted a winter BBQ and braved the winter weather to raise funds for local children and families.
Thank you to everyone who added YANA Christmas crackers to their holiday festivities and congratulations to the grand prize winner!
Much appreciation to the Driftwood Mall, Heather Tisdale, tree sponsors and tree buyers. Thanks to all of you, the 2016 Christmas tree auction was a tremendous success!