Jan Elman is combining her artistic talents with her desire to help the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada by designing a 2014 calendar featuring her paintings of the Comox Valley.
Jan has been painting her favourite Comox Valley scenes for a few years and thought that these paintings would make a great fundraising calendar.
Elman’s Comox Valley Impressions calendars donate a minimum of 25 per cent of the sales to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, North Vancouver Island Chapter.
The calendars are available now at Jan’s Travel & Cruise Centre in Comox and Scotiabank and Searle’s Shoes in Courtenay. You can also order copies by telephone at 250-339-0819 or by e-mail at
In her own words, Jan tells us how this fundraising idea developed.
“Painting is a new ‘skill’ for me. My interest was piqued years ago when I took classes with John Millhill and then our son Nathan, happily arrived.
“The next time I thought about painting was 2009 when a friend m my book club, Shareen Win, mentioned that she was going to start Sunday painting classes with Teresa Knight, a talented local artist.
“I’ve been painting in Teresa’s classes since then. I really appreciate the blend of her skills — controlling the class with her teaching background, good one-on-one observation to help me get along and a good nudge when requested.
“I first thought of the calendar this past spring when two things happened. The first was when I noticed people’s positive comments about my paintings and I also knew that they made, and continue to make, me happy.
“The second thing I noticed was that I was gravitating toward scenes around the Comox Valley. Happy scenes of the Comox Valley and MS, which I have, equal sharing the paintings and fundraising at the same time I have decided to make it as win/win as I could.
“The net profit after expenses will be split 50-50 with myself — putting away for that rainy, rainy day — and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, North Vancouver Island Chapter to assist people in the Comox Valley affected by MS.
I was diagnosed with MS in 1976, the same year my husband Steve and I settled here. The Comox Valley has been very kind to my health not to mention my loving and supporting family.
“I feel very, very fortunate to have chosen this wonderful place to live. I hope you enjoy these calendar scenes as well, and thank you for your donation.”
Cheri Kamenz, fundraising co-ordinator for the MS Society of Canada – North Vancouver Island Chapter, appreciates Jan’s desire to have a direct impact on the lives of others living with MS in the Comox Valley.
At Jan’s request, her donation to the MS Society will be dedicated first to the Comox Valley Self-Help Group to help alleviate the costs of attending the group’s luncheons and events for those who could not afford to attend otherwise.
Second, her donation will increase the funds available for the Equipment Provision Program and Special Assistance Fund for Comox Valley individuals in need. Equipment provisions include mobility aids, personal care and home care items.
— MS Society of Canada
