JOEL NEUFELD

Joel was born in Abbotsford,the youngest of the four kids. With all of his siblings pursuing careers in public service, community service has been a huge part of his family life.

Joel graduated from Rick Hansen Secondary in 2004. Joel has always been involved in athletics. He played with the Fraser Valley Rugby Union in the U-16 to U-19 divisions, and representing BC as captain at the U-18 Canadian Championships. In 2005, he went to New Zealand to play a season with the Tukapa Rugby Club.

Joel met his wife Meghan in 2009 and they married a year later. In 2013, Joel and Meghan suffered the tragic loss of their son Ryker. One of the many ways Joel coped with the loss was to become a Bereavement Companion with the Abbotsford Hospice Society, walking alongside others who had lost a loved one.

Joel and Meghan moved to Langley in 2015, a community they had already been heavily involved in. In 2016, Joel and Meghan welcomed their daughter Brinley.

Joel started his career as a first responder with BC Ambulance in 2009 and in 2014 became an auxiliary firefighter with the City of Abbotsford. In 2016 he moved to a full time position with the City of Surrey Fire Department.

Joel believes that community groups need to form strong bonds. He has shown leadership in this area through spearheading the connection with LAPS and the Township of Langley Firefighters Charitable Society.

In 2017, Joel became team lead for Ignite a Dream, an event that raises scholarship money benefiting students who have overcome adversity.