General News
Comox Fire Department offering tree-chipping this weekend
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Residents of Comox looking to get rid of their old Christmas trees can head down to the fire hall this weekend.
The fire service will be chipping trees on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All they’re asking for is a monetary donation, which will be going towards the You Are Not Alone (YANA) Fund Society.
YANA is a community organization that offers help to Comox Valley families travelling for medical services for their children.
For those who can’t get down to the hall in person, a tree pickup can be scheduled.
1870 Noel Avenue, Comox
Call 250-339-2342 for pick up in Comox with a minimum $5 donation
Island team gives back to Jeneece Place
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Team donated gift cards, pre-made meals and baked foods.
Families at Jeneece Place received a surprise over the weekend, when players from the Comox Valley Chiefs donated gift cards, food and homemade baked goods days before Christmas.
“I think the idea of kids helping kids is really cool,” said team manager Trevor Pritoula, as players from the peewee A team toured the facility next to Victoria General Hospital on Sunday. “They [the kids] get it, they understand that their efforts can mean a lot to someone when they’re in that position.”
The team is participating in the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, a national contest put on by Chevrolet and Hockey Canada to challenge peewee teams to make an impact in their community. The winning team receives a ceremony in its hometown, practice with a hockey ambassador and $15,000 to be donated to their charity of choice.
Families at Jeneece Place received a surprise over the weekend, when players from the Comox Valley Chiefs donated gift cards, food and homemade baked goods days before Christmas.
“I think the idea of kids helping kids is really cool,” said team manager Trevor Pritoula, as players from the peewee A team toured the facility next to Victoria General Hospital on Sunday. “They [the kids] get it, they understand that their efforts can mean a lot to someone when they’re in that position.”
The team is participating in the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, a national contest put on by Chevrolet and Hockey Canada to challenge peewee teams to make an impact in their community. The winning team receives a ceremony in its hometown, practice with a hockey ambassador and $15,000 to be donated to their charity of choice.
Through a bottle drive and other fundraisers, the Chiefs raised roughly $1,500 during the past month, which was donated to You Are Not Alone (YANA), which helps Comox Valley families that need to travel to access medical treatment for their children. The money was then used to purchase gift cards, pre-made meals, toiletries and video games, which were donated to families at Jeneece Place.
Kristina Maximick is one of 10 people who will benefit from the donation. The Comox Valley resident has been living at Jeneece Place for the past two months, after learning her babies are monoamniotic twins, a condition in which they share the same amniotic sac. However, their umbilical cords can get tangled, resulting in a high-risk pregnancy in which only 50 per cent of twins survive.
Maximick gave birth to two healthy twin girls, but will continue to live at Jeneece Place for the foreseeable future.
“It’s amazing. It’s a very thoughtful act of kindness and much appreciated because you don’t always have time to prepare things to eat,” Maximick said of the donation. Her son, Walker, also played with the Chiefs two years ago.
For the players involved, the initiative has left a lasting impression. “It made me feel great because I really like giving to other people,” said 11-year-old forward Morgan Jackson.
The team will be submitting a one-minute video to Hockey Canada for the Good Deeds Cup by Dec. 31. The winner will be selected in the new year.
Through a bottle drive and other fundraisers, the Chiefs raised roughly $1,500 during the past month, which was donated to You Are Not Alone (YANA), which helps Comox Valley families that need to travel to access medical treatment for their children. The money was then used to purchase gift cards, pre-made meals, toiletries and video games, which were donated to families at Jeneece Place.
Kristina Maximick is one of 10 people who will benefit from the donation. The Comox Valley resident has been living at Jeneece Place for the past two months, after learning her babies are monoamniotic twins, a condition in which they share the same amniotic sac. However, their umbilical cords can get tangled, resulting in a high-risk pregnancy in which only 50 per cent of twins survive.
Maximick gave birth to two healthy twin girls, but will continue to live at Jeneece Place for the foreseeable future.
“It’s amazing. It’s a very thoughtful act of kindness and much appreciated because you don’t always have time to prepare things to eat,” Maximick said of the donation. Her son, Walker, also played with the Chiefs two years ago.
For the players involved, the initiative has left a lasting impression. “It made me feel great because I really like giving to other people,” said 11-year-old forward Morgan Jackson.
The team will be submitting a one-minute video to Hockey Canada for the Good Deeds Cup by Dec. 31. The winner will be selected in the new year.
Christmas Crackers sold out
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Thank you to everyone who added these beauties to your holiday traditions! We are sold out in all locations.
Love from NIDES
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Look what Ms. Mann’s NIDES class is up to! We can’t wait to visit and to see your pottery creations!
Christmas crackers crafting completed
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Sincere thanks to the many volunteers who came together to make our YANA Christmas Crackers. Look for them on sale at many different sales outlets throughout the Comox Valley. Click here to find out where you can get yours.
Getting cracking on crackers!
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It’s that time of year again! YANA’s doors are open to crafting volunteers Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 2pm starting October 11 through to November 10. We have 5,000 Christmas crackers to make and we would love your help! No appointment necessary, just bring yourself and your craftiness. All supplies provided. Our office is located at 102-2456 Rosewall Crescent (Tin Town) in Courtenay.
Annual General Meeting 6:30pm October 5 at YANA office
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Please join us at the YANA office (102-2456 Rosewall Crescent) this Thursday, October 5 at 6:30pm for our Annual General Meeting. Learn about how YANA helps and the generosity of our community. Meet our board and staff. Bring $1 to become an annual member. We might even have cookies!
Comox Valley ATV club recognizes first responders, raises money for YANA
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Firefighters and other first responders in the Comox Valley were honoured on Saturday, Sept. 23 at a barbeque fundraiser in Courtenay.
The Comox Valley ATV Club put on the fundraiser, which featured a free BBQ lunch for first responders (others paid $5 per plate).
“We just want to say thanks to all the firefighters putting their lives at risk for us,” said ATV Club member Ted Meszaros, who organized the event. “They don’t get as much recognition as they need. And we want to give it to them by giving them delicious food.”
Along with the barbeque, the fundraiser included live music from a singer/guitar player, face painting for kids and a 50/50 draw.
While recognizing emergency first responder groups was the fundraiser’s focus, the $1,463 in proceeds will go towards the You Are Not Alone (YANA) Society. YANA is a community organization that offers travel and accommodation funding to families in the Comox Valley that need to travel for medical reasons.
“We have a few friends in the family going through hard times and it really hits a spot for me to be able to help out those families in need,” Meszaros continued. It makes me feel that much better going to bed.”
This was the second time the now-annual fundraiser took place. Last year the ATV Club raised about $460 for YANA.
“My goal was to beat that by even a dollar but before we even started this year, we were already $300 over [last year’s total],” said Meszaros.
~ Originally published by BCLocalNews.com
YANA Ride 2017 far exceeds fundraising expectations
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The 2017 Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride far exceeded fundraising expectations, raising more than $62,000 for the You Are Not Alone non-profit society.
The pledge site will remain open until August 31, however, meaning there is still time for the final tally to increase.
YANA Executive Director Marcie Dumais said the Aug. 20 ride went far beyond the organization’s fundraising goal of $50,000.
“We’re just thrilled. It far exceeded our expectations and it’s just a testament to everybody that got involved,” she said.
Nearly 1,000 people were involved with the fundraiser this year, including 593 cyclists and their supporters, 49 different sponsors and around 150 volunteers.
Cycling routes included a 25 kilometre, 50 kilometre or 100 kilometre ride throughout the Comox Valley. There was also a 6 kilometre family loop that allowed riders of all ages to cycle together. Routes started and stopped at the Marina Park, in Comox.
YANA is a community organization thats offers travel funding and accommodation to Comox Valley families who need to travel for medical reasons. Money raised from the annual fundraiser goes to support its programs.
“Obviously the fundraising is critical to support our programs, but it’s also a really beautiful way to get a collective in the community doing something they love — which is cycling — [and turning it] into something that is really valuable and important for the community,” said Dumais.
“It’s this collective energy of people who love to get on their bikes and turning it into something really important for local families when they need it the most.”
The cycling fundraiser is one of two annual fundraisers for YANA. The other is the organization’s annual winter gala, called the Big Love Benefit.
YANA was formed in 1986. The first YANA Ride was in 2007. In 2013, YANA formed a partnership with Simon’s Cycles and 2017 marked the fifth annual Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride.
$62,000 raised at Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride on August 20
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Our community has helped us create something very special with the Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride. Cyclists, volunteers, donors and sponsors brought their best and it showed. Together we raised $62,000 for Comox Valley children and families. Thank you!
