A major donation by Cochrane Victim Services is making it possible for Cochrane Search and Rescue (SAR) to replace one of its aging rescue units.
On Sunday, Maxine Wilton, Cochrane Victim Services chair, and past chair Brenda Sine presented $50,000 to the valued community organization.
Cochrane Victim Services unit is winding down its operations after more than three decades of serving the community, as part of a provincial restructuring. The transition has left them in a position to provide lasting legacies to six carefully selected nonprofit organizations serving the Cochrane area.
In her research, Wilton said she was impressed with the important role played by SAR.
“Cochrane Search and Rescue is a charity that saves lives through on-call volunteers 24/7, which is very similar to how Victim Services operates,” she said. “We just know that through this donation, they’ll continue to do important work for our community.”
Sine said the surplus funds were built up over the years by adhering to best practices in service delivery.
“This happened over 33 years,” she said. “We kept putting money aside to have it available for rainy days.”
Cochrane SAR president Chris Bower said the funds will be put to good use and that the team is deeply touched by the support.
“This is huge for us,” he said. “It shows, from our perspective, that Cochrane Victim Services is continuing to give back to the community even as their operations conclude. It’s an honour to receive these funds to help us continue our mission of finding and helping people.”
He also praised Victim Services for their decades of commitment.
“For so long, they’ve been a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals in their most vulnerable moments. Their dedication to providing compassion, resources and a safe space has left an incredible mark on Cochrane, and their absence will be deeply felt.”
Cochrane SAR has four rescue units, and one of its older ones will be retired with the purchase.
"Our fleet is getting to the point where they're costing us a lot more money to keep on the road," said Bower.
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The presentation coincided with the completion of training for several new SAR members, who recently underwent an overnight field exercise and final training session.
Cochrane SAR currently has 95 members and holds an annual intake for new recruits.