Chilliwack service groups stepped up twice in one day to donate to Chilliwack Search and Rescue.
Rotary Club of Chilliwack Fraser handed over a cheque for $55,000 on Feb. 26, which will support vital training programs for the volunteer-led organization. Earlier that same day, another donation was made by a different service group to help fund CSAR's newly completed building on Fifth Avenue.
"Support for search and rescue is a long-time tradition of our club," said Rotary Club of Chilliwack Fraser president Gerry Enns. "Our members continue to step up, and I couldn't be prouder of their dedication to helping those who help others."
Rotary's commitment to CSAR dates back more than 35 years, beginning with an event called the Krafty Raft Race at Cultus Lake. Funds from that fun-filled event helped purchase a new Zodiac, ensuring safer and more efficient water rescues.
To this day, the club continues to equip the search-and-rescue volunteers with the resources they need to save lives.
Members with the Rotary club toured the new facility on Feb. 26 where CSAR members explained how the funding will directly enhance their lifesaving efforts.
"Training is the backbone of our success," said Jeremy Plesman, CSAR manager. "Every hour our team spends preparing can mean the difference between life and death. This generous donation from Rotary will help ensure our volunteers' time is spent training and not fundraising so they are ready when called upon."
The donation was made possible by Rotary's annual Travel Lotto Fundraiser, which sells out each November, offering 12 trips to lucky ticket holders.
"Without our community's continued support of the Travel Lotto, contributions like this wouldn't be possible," Enns said. "Every ticket sold strengthens our ability to give back and support many different projects in our local community."
Rotary's donation came the same day that Kiwanis Club of Sardis handed over a cheque for $25,000 to CSAR, after they sold their food trailer.
They still need to raise about $750,000 for the $4.3 million facility. Anyone wishing to donate to Chilliwack Search and Rescue's new building can go to chilliwacksar.org and click "donate" in the upper right corner.
