The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department recognizes that there are families on Gabriola that could use a little more help this year so we are conducting Christmas Food and Toy drive. Donations will go to the Christmas Bureau for families on the island.

On December 1st, Fire Fighters will be dressing up some of our trucks to make them a little more festive, and at 5:30pm we depart north hall to drive around the island in a Christmas convoy of lighted trucks, music and candy canes for those who come out to see...

us!

On our route, we will be picking up from clearly marked totes distributed to various locations around the island. Totes will be set out before 9am the morning of the 'parade' so there will be plenty of time to drop something in one during the day. We will be printing and posting a map of the route and pick up points shortly!

Requested donations include new, unwrapped toys for infants, youth and teens, including books, games, sports equipment, arts and crafts kits, cars and trucks, dolls etc.

The greatest needs for nonperishable food include: canned meals, canned meat, cereal, dry beans, fruit (canned or fresh), pasta, peanut butter, rice, soups etc. in original packaging. Turkey vouchers can also be purchased at Village Foods.  Thanks for participating!

The Ride to Conquer Cancer: 6 Gabriola Islanders in training!

There are 6 Gabriola residents that are taking an amazing journey. We'll be participating in a two-day major cycling (over 200km) event called The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation. We've joined up with a team from Nanaimo called "Nanaimo Rides Again" and are aiming to raise over $100,000 between now and June 16 2012.
Already the experience has been amazing for me, I'm using this to experience to show my kids that you can make a difference and you can be the change. Many of you may know that my dad is battling terminal cancer, so this will be a very emotional journey, but I feel so supported by my family, friends and the community of Gabriola.

We have people joining us on training rides to keep our motivation up, Lesley Standerwick is helping us train, local businesses are supporting us and people chipping in any way they can.

We are planning a Beer & Burger night for the end of Feb, we're doing a bottle drive on Jan 6 (please let us know if you have any bottles to donate), and we'll be spinning in Nanaimo at Walmart on Jan 29 and at the Maple Sugar Festival on Feb 12. This is just the start of our fundraising activities, the more we raise the more we have to find the cure. Right now 2 out of 5 people will hear the words "you have cancer" in their lifetime, we need to change this for my family and for yours.

Please take a minute and visit our personal pages and if you'd like to donate online to either Tina or her husband Guy Parcher or one of the other riders, please do it today so that you can take advantage of the 100% tax deduction for your 2011 taxes, what a way to finish of the year!

submitted by: Tina Lynch