The 2024 YANA Big Love Gala united hundreds of people from the community in support of a noble cause.

On the night of Feb. 23, the venue at the Florence Filberg Centre sold out all 336 seats and attracted nearly a hundred more attendees via live stream.

Kelly Barnie, YANA鈥檚 executive director, described this year鈥檚 event as a great success.

鈥淚t was amazing and went spectacularly well. It was by far the smoothest experience we鈥檝e had in years,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he overall energy, ambience, and excitement were amazing this year.鈥�

Barnie highlighted the importance of the Big Love Gala as it represents the biggest fundraiser for the Comox Valley non-profit.

鈥淭his event makes 40 per cent of all the money we need for YANA families in a year. (The Big Love Gala) is a gathering for everyone who puts their time, effort, energy, and money into supporting and showing their love for YANA and families (we support).鈥�

All the money amassed during the event will go towards helping families in need of YANA鈥檚 services.

鈥淓very dollar that YANA raises goes towards our funding and our accommodation program,鈥� said Barnie. 鈥�(If someone) has to leave the community to access medical care for their child, YANA provides the accommodation (and assists with) expenses incurred while they鈥檙e away.鈥�

Though the total amount raised by the event has yet to be disclosed, Barnie said that this year marked a particularly lively fundraiser as the non-profit received significant donations through various streams of engagement.

鈥淭he live auction by itself raised over $70,000 this year. We also (hadd) a table for next year鈥檚 event that went for $17,500 - which is a record,鈥� said Barnie. 鈥淎 dozen donuts went for $1,200. People were just plain donating and being extremely generous.鈥�

This year鈥檚 edition of the 37-year-long tradition held significant importance for YANA.

鈥淥ver the years it grew to be a (full-fledged event) with Dave Stevens taking over as auctioneer,鈥� said Barnie. 鈥淭his year was officially Stevens鈥� retirement (after) decades of (participation) and his contribution to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for YANA.鈥�

In his place, YANA welcomed Jamie Edwards, the event鈥檚 new auctioneer, who successfully carried the torch.

Barnie concluded by thanking YANA鈥檚 numerous volunteers and sponsors without whom this event couldn鈥檛 have been a success.

The Record will update the article online with the total funds raised once YANA has finished tallying its numbers.

To learn more about YANA, visit .