From left, Comox Valley Record publisher Keith Currie, YANA (You Are Not Alone) community relations co-ordinator Ocean Varney, Bill Anglin, representing Valley Vonka title sponsor Courtney & Anglin Realty, YANA executive director Marcie Dumais, and Black Press director of product development Chrissie Bowker, celebrate the $8,079.75 raised in this year’s Valley Vonka. Photo by Terry Farrell
Friday, May 11 was a night of celebration, at a private party hosted by Hot Chocolates, in downtown Courtenay. The occasion? The prize presentations at the second annual Valley Vonka & the Hot Chocolate Factory, presented by The Comox Valley Record and Courtney & Anglin Realty in partnership with Hot Chocolates, Sure Copy, and Isla Designs.
Five lucky participants, who bought specially designed (by Hot Chocolates, of course) Valley Vonka chocolate bars found “Golden Tickets” inside the wrapping. Those tickets qualified the winner for one of five fantastic prizes.
The promotion was all in the name of one of the Comox Valley’s most recognized charities: You Are Not Alone (YANA) - a community organization that offers financial and accommodation assistance to Comox Valley families who need to travel to access medical treatment for their children.
The prizes included a family pack of gold season tickets (two adult, two children) courtesy Mount Washington Alpine Resort, as well as getaway packages from Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community, Old House Hotel & Spa, Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa, and Ucluelet’s Black Rock Oceanfront Resort.
In addition to the Golden Ticket prizes, there was also a children’s colouring contest that ran concurrently. More than 200 entries were received and judges had a most difficult time selecting two winners, who each received a year’s supply of chocolate, from Hot Chocolates.
The biggest winner of the promotion was YANA, as representatives from the charity were presented with a cheque in the amount of $8,079.75.
Thanks to everyone who participated by either buying a Valley Vonka chocolate bar, or by entering the colouring contest.
Hot Chocolates owner Jorden Marshall and manager Michele Henry present the Valley Vonka colouring contest winners Grace Stegall and Louis MacDonald-Ward with their prizes: a year’s supply of chocolate from Hot Chocolates! Grace, 10, won the 6-12-year-old category, while Louis, 4, won the five-years-and-under age category. Photo by Terry Farrell.Michelle Jackson (right) and her daughter, Kaela, celebrate their Valley Vonka golden ticket win, with Black Press director of product development Chrissie Bowker. Michelle and Kaela won the amazing Mount Washington prize package, which includes two adult and two child/youth Gold season passes for the 2018-2019 ski season at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Photo by Terry FarrellBill Anglin presents Heather Webber with her Valley Vonka Golden Ticket prize package, courtesy the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa. Heather won two nights’ accommodation for two in a beachfront suite, $100 dining credit per person for Ocean7 Restaurant or AQUA Bistro & Wine Bar, $100 Pacific Mist Spa credit per person, one visit to the Hydropath per person and one complimentary yoga class per person. Photo by Terry FarrellOld House Resort & Spa general manager David Rooper presents Genine Monych and her son, Gerard, their golden ticket prize. Genine and Gerard won a fantastic prize package from the Old House Resort & Spa. The Old House Resort & Spa, Local Restaurant’s West Coast Wellness Escape includes two nights in a two-bedroom studio suite, a Westcoast Gourmet Provisions welcome basket, spa treatment at Ohspa, and a complementary dining experience at the highly-acclaimed Locals Restaurant. Photo by Terry FarrellComox Valley Record multi media consultant Peter Diespecker (right) presents David Turner and his family the Ucluelet’s Black Rock Family Getaway package at the Valley Vonka winners event at Hot Chocolates Friday, May 11. The prize includes two nights in a one-bedroom trail suite, a $100 dining credit, and a $100 spa credit. Photo by Terry FarrellKristy Pederson (right) of Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community presents Tanya Thorne and her daughter, Mitzi, with a golden ticket prize package from the resort. Tanya and Mitzi won a two-night stay in a one-bedroom king Jacuzzi suite, with the option of either two rounds of golf including cart, or a $150 resort gift certificate. Photo by Terry Farrell.
Terry returned to Black Press in 2014, after seven years at a daily publication in Alberta. He brings 24 years of editorial experience to Comox Valley Record...
Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines.