Gabriola Firefighters Launch Reflective Sign Fundraiser to Support Local Family and Enhance Emergency Response

Gabriola Island, BC – Adrienne Muscat and Francis Wolokoff, firefighters with the Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department, have teamed up to create the Gabriola Firefighters Fundraising Group. The groups latest initiative combines community safety with compassion by selling reflective address signs to raise funds for the Beatch family, whose son Jax was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

The reflective signs are double-sided, mounted on lumber, and professionally installed for $100 each. This initiative addresses a critical safety issue on Gabriola Island, where some homes lack visible address markers, making it difficult for emergency responders to locate them quickly during emergencies. “When minutes matter,” said Adrienne Muscat, “we need to find you fast—no one wants us wasting time searching for the right address.”

The project has garnered strong community support. Colin McCue, owner of Sure Signs on Gabriola, donated the materials for the first 16 signs, including signboards and reflective material. Elisha Bandel of Bandel Construction contributed the lumber, while various firefighters have volunteered their time to install the signs, which will start appearing around the island as early as next week. The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department has also approved the initiative and expressed their full support for improving emergency response capabilities on the island.

Proceeds from sign sales will go directly to supporting the Beatch family as they navigate Jax’s leukemia treatment. For those who wish to contribute without purchasing a sign, donations can be made through a dedicated GoFundMe page (link at bottom of this post).

To Purchase a Sign: Residents interested in purchasing a reflective sign can contact Adrienne Muscat at adriennemuscat@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code below to learn more about this initiative and how to participate or click on the link:

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/4M7VTXRTMQ6HS/checkout/AJACMKZZYNWMLUXOECXMDSG7.

Francis Wolokoff emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “Help us, help you, help them. By purchasing these signs, you’re not only ensuring your home is easier to find in emergencies, but you’re also contributing to a wonderful cause that supports one of our own families in need.” 

“This fundraiser is about more than just raising money; it’s about coming together as a community to support one of our own while ensuring everyone is safer in emergencies,” added Adrienne Muscat. 

Media Contact: Adrienne Muscat Gabriola Firefighters Fundraising Group Email: adriennemuscat@gmail.com 

Francis Wolokoff Gabriola Firefighters Fundraising Group 

Link to gofundme https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jax-our-little-warrior-fight-leukemia?attribution_id=sl%3Aa74d1152-c0e2-4cf9-8812-030f770f5bf4&lang=en_CA&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp13_t1-amp14_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&fbclid=IwY2xjawJZNvVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZXLlDwaQ-ntaWvwjezzuxptg-HXS8iS-y9is52F4trx-yvwNXMz_r74Tw_aem_i0nQfBc8J5UA4S5qpBZp6Q