General News
YANA Christmas Crackers On Sale Now
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YANA Comox Valley’s annual Christmas cracker fundraising sale will start Thursday, November 17.
Earlier in October volunteers began making the 5,000 crackers needed for YANA’s (You Are Not Alone) annual Christmas cracker sale which has become a popular Comox Valley tradition.
“It was great being able to work out of our new space this year,” says YANA Board Director and Campaign Coordinator, Lesley Hunter. “We’re so grateful for the regular volunteers that come every year and we are happy to meet new ones, it’s such a fun group to work with.”
These hand crafted beauties will go on sale at various locations in November. Each one is filled with neat holiday prizes, 50 crackers have special prizes, including one with a grand prize.
The grand prize is a diamond ring donated by Mark the Gold Guy from 
Comox Valley Pawnbrokers and appraised by Tim Haley from Simply Timeless at a value of $4,400.
Last year YANA was able to support 141 local families through their funding and accommodation program, assisting with over 300 medical trips for children or pregnant mothers who require medical care outside the Comox Valley.
Crackers go on sale Thursday, November 17 for $3 each and can be purchased at the following locations:
– Driftwood Mall Christmas Tree Display, Cliffe Ave., Courtenay (Nov 17-Dec 3) SOLD OUT
– BCAA, Cliffe Ave., Courtenay SOLD OUT
– First Insurance, 8th Street, Courtenay SOLD OUT
– Edible Island, 6th Street, Courtenay SOLD OUT
– F.D. Interiors, 5th Street, Courtenay SOLD OUT
– Blush Salon, 5th Street, Courtenay SOLD OUT
– MNP, 467 Cumberland Road, Courtenay SOLD OUT
– Coastal Community Credit Union (all branches) SOLD OUT
– Harbourview Dental, Comox Ave., Comox SOLD OUT
– Comox Recreation Centre, Noel Ave., Comox SOLD OUT
– 40 Knots Winery, Anderton Rd., Comox SOLD OUT
– Vancouver Island Visitors Centre, Comox Valley Pkwy SOLD OUT
– Seeds Market, Dunsmuir at 3rd Street, Cumberland SOLD OUT
– First Credit Union, Dunsmuir Rd., Cumberland SOLD OUT
– Charles Dickens Christmas Craft Faire at the Florence Filberg Centre Nov 11-13
– Christmas at the Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park Craft Fair Nov 26-27
~ Comox Valley Record
Annual reports posted online
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Interested in learning more about YANA and reflect back on our year? Our annual reports are available here.
Sweet Santa Fe plays 1st Tuesday Fundraiser for YANA
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Enjoy the sounds of Sweet Santa Fe, featured guests of the 1st Tuesday Fundraiser on Nov. 1 at the Mex Pub.
Raising money for the local charity You Are Not Alone, the concert is by donation and features the blended talents of Michel Rivero and Christine Baxter, a delightful new duo on the Comox Valley music scene.
Rivero and Baxter met and fell in love under the Cuban sun, and soon after began writing using music that drew on their Cuban and Canadian influences. They blend interesting melody lines and beautiful harmonies, Spanish guitar and Cuban rhythms. Baxter started singing as a part of her family quartet at the age of five. Over the years she has performed as a back-up singer and as a solo artist, and now continues to enjoy performing with her husband Michel. She also enjoys singing with choirs and travelling to learn different musical cultures.
As a new resident to Canada, Rivero is looking forward to sharing his Cuban roots and music. He is a well-established performer in Cuba, and has played with a wide range of Cuban musicians. As a guitar and percussion instructor, Rivero loves sharing his passion for music, and will continue teaching and performing in his new home in Comox.
Each month, the concert series pairs performers with their favourite charities, and this month, Sweet Santa Fe has selected YANA to receive the proceeds. YANA was founded in 1986 and ensures that families in the Comox Valley are not alone when dealing with medical issues for their children and believes that when a child is ill the whole family requires care. YANA provides financial support so families can stay focused on the health and wellness of their child.
The organization maintains four apartments in Vancouver that provide accommodation within walking distance of Children’s Hospital and also helps families to fund accommodations in other treatment destinations. It also provides a daily, weekly or monthly allotment of funds that help to cover the costs of travel, meals, and other expenses. St. Joseph’s Hospital also receives funds from YANA to assist Comox Valley families or an expecting mother who requires emergency transfer to another hospital. For more information about YANA services visit the website at www.yanacomoxvalley.com.
The evening at the Mex Pub begins at 7:30, with an opening set by organizers Judy and Bruce Wing, accompanied by special guests Blaine Dunaway on the violin and Steve Ruskin on keyboard. A few collaborative numbers with all the musicians will also be part of the evening entertainment.
For more information about 1st Tuesday events, visit Facebook.com/1stTuesdayFundraisers.
Going crackers over crackers!
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Thanks to a wonderful crew of crafty volunteers, we have nearly completed making 5,000 Christmas crackers. This Friday, October 28 will be the last crafting session from 10am to 4pm. Look to buy these beauties in participating businesses after Remembrance Day. You could be the lucky winner of this sparkly diamond ring donated by Mark the Gold Guy!
Get crafty with us!
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For almost 20 years YANA has welcomed the holiday season by making and selling Christmas Crackers. Our holiday tradition starts early. During the month of October, 5,000 crackers will be lovingly handcrafted by volunteers and filled with fun prizes. 50 crackers will have special prizes, including one with a grand prize. Drop-in crafting sessions are on now until the end of October. Please join us on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 10am – 4pm at the YANA office 102 -2456 Rosewall Crescent (Tin Town). Come get crafty with us!
Kids’ Clutter Sale October 16 at Courtenay Elementary School
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A glimpse at the goods! Come see for yourself and get some great deals. Sunday, October 16 from 10am – 2pm at Courtenay Elementary School.
2016 Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride a huge success
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Everyone wins! Sunday’s Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride was a huge success! Check out the event photos here! The Comox Valley Record captures the post-ride feeling and highlights. Have a read.
2016 Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride sold out!
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We are delighted to have 600 cyclists registered for Sunday’s ride. 
Now that we have reached capacity registration is closed. Please note no registration will be accepted on ride day.
You can still support YANA and this event by pledging a registered rider or by making a donation. Pledge by clicking here.
Please look out for the safety of our cyclists on Sunday, August 21st.
Caring for Comox Valley kids is how we roll!
A cyclist, a fundraiser, and a very nice story
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Perry Feltham from Madman McKays is gearing up to do his 4th Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride on Sunday, August 21st. Madman Mckays have been hosting weekly barbeques on Saturdays to raise money for YANA. Feltham has also been raising funds privately as he and his wife will be participating in the 100km ride.
Feltham, an avid cyclist, has been a long term and regular patron of Simon’s Cycles.
“When Simon’s got on board with this annual cycling fundraiser and asked us to help with the training rides, we were happy to get involved. My wife and I have done many rides for different organizations over the years so it was natural to help locally in this way,” says Feltham.
What he didn’t anticipate was how affected he would become by being part of the event. He recalls stopping to refill his water bottle at a convenience store in Cumberland on one of his rides. The young lady at the cash register asked about his cycling jersey and he told her about the YANA Ride.
“Her face changed and her eyes welled up with tears,” recalls Feltham. “She said ‘I can’t tell you how much that means to me.’ And she told me her story and what YANA meant to her family, and when I came back outside my eyes had tears in them.”
Feltham and Madman McKays have been supporting the Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride ever since.
“It’s just something you know is right, right for the community and right for us.”
To support the Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride and pledge a cyclist click here.
Pumped about the Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride
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We might not be as tough as the crew at Simon’s Cycles but we are equally pumped about the Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride on August 21!
Registration will be open until 11:59pm Friday, August 19th OR until such time as we have 600 cyclists. No registration will be accepted on ride day.
You can help us reach our fundraising goal of $45,000 for YANA families by riding with us or by pledging a cyclist.
Find out everything you need to know about the Simon’s Cycles YANA Ride through our registration and pledging site.
P.S. Yes, there will be tattoos at the event! Come to Marina Park in Comox on August 21 to get one for yourself and to help us cheer on these big-hearted cyclists.