The 2022 YANA Christmas Cracker fundraiser ended with a bang when 10-year-old Ivy Costello from New Zealand won the grand prize!
Although the grand prize winner typically comes forward at the end of December after having snapped their winning cracker at the Christmas dinner table, this year, YANA supporters across the Valley and beyond were left in suspense until early January.
Ivy’s family has ties to the Comox Valley, where her mom, Megan, grew up and attended Highland Secondary School before moving to New Zealand in 2009. They celebrated the new year on Hornby Island with extended family by opening their Christmas Crackers that were purchased from Seeds in Cumberland and discovering that the winning cracker was in the house.
“Ivy has promised her mom not to take the ring to school when they return home from their holiday, but we’re not sure how anyone could say no to that beautiful kiwi smile,” said YANA executive director Kelly Barnie. “We want to congratulate Ivy and her family and give huge thanks to everyone who had a hand in making the Christmas Crackers so successful this year.”
This YANA fundraiser wouldn’t be possible without the generous sponsorship from Somers Private Wealth of RBC Dominion Securities, the gorgeous grand prize donation from Mark the Gold Guy at Comox Valley Pawnbrokers, and the tireless volunteers who craft and deliver all 5,000 handmade Christmas Crackers.
“Edible Island, Quality Foods in Courtenay and Comox, John’s Independent, Comox Recreation, Tin Town Cafe and Seeds all did an awesome job with sales during such a busy time of year. Between the families that purchased for their 10th or 15th year in a row, and all the new folks that bought crackers for the first time this year, the entire stock sold out in just 34 days,” said Barnie. “We are so appreciative of every business, volunteer, cracker crafter and purchaser that made this all happen. Thank you all for being such rockstars!”