1st Tuesday Fundraisers sponsored by the Mex Pub and hosted by Coast to Coast will feature Celtic Thyme on Nov. 5 raising funds for You Are Not Alone (YANA).
Food items are also accepted for the Comox Valley Food Bank.
You Are Not Alone (YANA) is a local non-profit society that provides accommodation and funding to Comox Valley families who need to travel outside the community for medical treatment for a child under 19 or for a pregnant mother. YANA was founded in 1986 by Sandra Williams after her family experienced the financial and emotional devastation of having a very sick child who required treatment at Children’s Hospital for many months in Vancouver. YANA continues to ensure 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. YANA maintains four fully furnished apartments within walking distance of Children’s Hospital and also assists with finding and funding accommodation in alternate treatment destinations. In addition to providing accommodation, YANA provides a daily, weekly or monthly allotment of funds to help with costs of travel, food, parking and unexpected expenses. YANA also provides the Comox Valley Hospital with funds to make available to local families who have a child or an expecting mother who requires emergency transfer to another hospital. To access service YANA ensures a simple, confidential and supportive process that starts with a phone call, an email or a visit to the office.
Celtic Thyme is a lively toe-tapping group founded on the premise of providing traditional Celtic music of value for the entertainment of friends old and new.
Bill MacPherson (a.k.a. Billy Mac, lead guitar, mandolin, bodhran and vocals), born and raised on PEI, has been playing for over 50 years since receiving a guitar for Christmas from his mom when he was a young lad. Self-taught, he got his start at kitchen parties where plenty of Celtic and country tunes were being played.
Bill’s experience over the years with other groups and his knowledge of music are definite assets.
Perry Johnson (rhythm guitar and vocals) hails from Newfoundland where he was introduced at a young age to jigs and reels in his mom’s kitchen. Both a songwriter and performer, Perry will be adding his vocal ability and original compositions to the band.
Heather Sprout (vocals) comes from a small coastal community in B.C. Music has been a part of her life for as long as she can recall, learning to sing by listening to her parents and their friends perform Irish and Scottish tunes as well as the music that was popular during the war years. Later on, kitchen gatherings with neighbours and friends kept her love for music and singing alive.
Show starts at 7:30 p.m.; admission by donation.