Big Love 2025: An Unforgettable Night of Compassion and Connection
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Comox Valley, you never cease to amaze us. Thanks to your generosity and unwavering support, the Big Love 2025 Benefit raised an astounding $242,000 for YANA families!
This year’s event was a powerful reminder of what makes this community so extraordinary. From the heartfelt bids in our auction to the joyful reunions and warm welcomes around the dinner tables, every moment was filled with the kind of love that turns hard times into hope.
Because of you, families facing the unimaginable won’t face it alone. Because of you, questions and doubts are transformed into plans and security.
We are humbled and deeply grateful to every sponsor, donor, volunteer, guest, and supporter who made this night possible. Your kindness is the heart of everything we do, and your support changes the story for YANA families every single day.
From the bottom of our very full hearts, thank you for standing with us. Thank you for proving—once again—that we are a community united by kindness, connection, and a shared commitment to one another.
With deepest gratitude and Big Love,
The YANA Team 💖
YANA Big Love Benefit on Friday February 28, 2025
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The Big Love Benefit is YANA’s premier annual dinner and auction, celebrating the generosity and love that defines our community. This unforgettable gala brings together friends, fun, and a shared commitment to supporting YANA families.
Event Date
This year’s YANA Big Love Benefit is on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Florence Filberg Centre Signature Venue. For those unable to attend in person, the event will also be livestreamed for everyone to enjoy.
Ticket Information
Tickets on sale HERE now!
- In-Person Tickets: $200 per seat or $1,600 for a table of 8.
- Livestream Access: By donation! Automatic tax receipt provided.
Every ticket includes access to our massive Online Auction, which opens on February 18 and concludes during the live event on February 28.
A Community United in Love
This event is a testament to the unique spirit of the Comox Valley—a community that comes together to ensure no family feels alone in their time of need. The success of the Big Love Benefit depends on the incredible generosity of sponsors, donors, and supporters like you.
Thank you for helping us make a profound difference for YANA families in our community. We can’t wait to share this extraordinary evening with you. Let’s show our Big Love!
Comox Valley’s six-year-old Aria shines as YANA’s 2024 diamond ring winner
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YANA (You Are Not Alone) Comox Valley has finally found this year’s 2024 Christmas Cracker diamond ring winner – six-year-old Aria.
Originally published by the Comox Valley Record 2024-01-21
From L to R: Kelly Barnie, YANA executive director, Aria Cole, cracker ring winner, Garret Cole, Aria’s dad , Kourtney Van Velzen, YANA client care co-ordinator.
YANA (You Are Not Alone) Comox Valley has finally found this year’s 2024 Christmas Cracker diamond ring winner – six-year-old Aria.
The magical win is particularly special, as it celebrates a family deeply connected to YANA, embodying a story of generosity and gratitude across generations.
Aria’s grandparents, Shaun and Mae, have been dedicated supporters of YANA’s annual Christmas Cracker campaign, purchasing 100 or more crackers every year. Their passion for YANA stems from personal experience: decades ago, their son Garret, Aria’s dad, was a YANA child.
Garret’s journey with YANA began decades ago when he needed to travel to Vancouver after an X-ray revealed concerns about a broken ankle due to a skiing accident. At the time, Garret’s dad was starting his construction business, and his mom worked in retail. The unexpected four-day trip was a financial and emotional strain, but YANA stepped in to provide essential support, making the journey manageable for the family during a challenging time.
Now, years later, the family’s connection to YANA has come full circle with Aria’s big win.
Adding to the magic of this moment is a unique family twist: several years ago, Garret’s brother, Byron, won YANA’s diamond earrings at a Christmas party. In a touching gesture, he gifted the earrings to their mom, Mae. Last summer, Mae passed them on to Byron’s fiancée, who wore the sparkling set on her wedding day. Now, with Aria’s win, the family adds another joyful chapter to their YANA story.
Now, Aria is the proud winner of YANA’s stunning diamond ring set. She plans to keep them safe in their special box until they fit perfectly and she can wear them and tell their chapter of the story proudly.
“This was such a beautiful reminder of YANA’s lasting impact on families and the incredible support we receive from the Comox Valley community,” said Kourtney Van Velzen, YANA’s client care co-ordinator.
This year’s YANA Christmas Cracker campaign was a success thanks to the incredible support of the Comox Valley community. Special thanks go to Somers Private Wealth of RBC Dominion Securities for sponsoring the fundraiser, Mark the Gold Guy at Comox Valley Pawnbrokers for donating the gorgeous grand prize diamond ring set, and the tireless volunteers who handcrafted and distributed all 5,000 Christmas crackers.
Congratulations to Aria and her family on this unforgettable win, and thank you to everyone who supported YANA this holiday season.
2024 Comox Bike Co YANA Ride – Challenges Became Successes!
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The 2024 Comox Bike Co YANA Ride had a few nail-biting moments, but this truly incredible community put every worry to rest!
A big goal was set and you were not deterred. Instead, you faced the challenge, and the Party in the Park day storm head-on, and together we raised an amazing $101,000 for YANA families! This year also marked the first-ever Golf Ball Drop, a new tradition that will surely be a fan favourite moving forward.
To the 500+ compassionate donors, 240 dedicated riders, 46 generous sponsors, and 70 unstoppable volunteers—we want to THANK YOU! The success of this year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without the many hands and hearts that came together to support YANA.
THAT’S the power of community!
A year of gratitude: a Comox Valley family’s journey and their commitment to YANA
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In May of last year, the Girard family’s world was flipped upside down by the news of young Hudson Girard’s diagnosis of a large brain tumour near his brain stem.
The situation moved very quickly; from an MRI in search of answers to packing up and heading to BC Children’s Hospital, where Hudson would undergo a gruelling 10-hour surgery. Thanks to the skllful hands of the medical team and Dr. Faizal Haji, Hudson’s tumour removal was a success.
“It was indescribable the support that we received,” explained Hudson’s dad, Eric Girard, when talking about YANA’s crucial role during this turbulent time. He shared how YANA’s assistance provided relief, supporting the family’s journey and stay in Vancouver. “When you get an absolute bombshell dropped on you like that, you don’t know what way is up or down, left or right. Talking to Kelly felt like some things were taken off of our plate, which helped reduce our stress levels. It was remarkable what YANA did for us. We are really, really lucky,” said Girard.
Now, just over a year later, Hudson and the Girard family are expressing their gratitude for YANA by participating in this year’s Comox Bike Co YANA Ride. They ride to support future YANA families, just like their own family was supported. The family has created a team, “Hudson’s Homies”, where each member will ride a total of 200 kilometres while raising money for YANA between August 1st and 18th. This annual ride highlights the critical work of YANA, raising both funds and awareness to ensure that families with children and pregnant mothers in the Comox Valley can access the specialized medical care they need.
The Girard family’s participation is a testament to the impact of YANA, showing that families are never alone in their time of need. Grateful for the generous help they received from their community, they are now honoured to pay it forward by fundraising to help other families. Hudson explained his decision to ride, “What our family went through was really hard, and YANA was there for us, so I want to support other families going through what we went through.”
At the time the article was written, Hudson’s Homies had already surpassed their initial goal of $5,000 raised, and have now set a new goal of $10,000. With the money their team has raised so far, YANA can support another family’s stay in Vancouver for nearly two months. To help Hudson and his Homies reach their goal, pledges can be made by clicking the “Register – Make a Pledge – Get Info” button at yanacomoxvalley.com.
Event organizers hope the community will rally behind the charity and the local families they serve to help reach their $100,000 fundraising goal. YANA executive director Kelly Barnie explains the impact of widespread support for the YANA Ride, “The enthusiastic participation and generous contributions from our supporters ensure that we can continue to provide vital assistance to families facing medical challenges, helping to alleviate some of their burdens and allowing them to focus on what truly matters – their loved ones.”
To participate in the 2024 Comox Bike Co. YANA Ride, donate to a rider, or get more information about joining the fun at the August 18th Party in the Park, visit https://www.yanacomoxvalley.com/yana-event/ride/.
