Rotary Club of Osoyoos president Cheryle King presents Oliver-Osoyoos Search and Rescue with nearly $1,500 for its new truck and trailer station. From left are Brenda Arychuk, Tanja Kranz, Mike Arychuk and Jakob Keller. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
Lyonel Doherty
Aberdeen Publishing
The Rotary Club of Osoyoos doesn’t need rescuing but it certainly recognizes the value of Oliver-Osoyoos Search and Rescue (OOSAR).
That was evident on Tuesday when it donated nearly $1,500 towards the squad’s new truck and trailer station it is building this spring.
“Obviously they (OOSAR) are an integral part of our first responders . . . their services are sadly needed.”
Rotary member and town councillor Jim King said it’s important that they recognize what first responders do in the community.
Brenda Arychuk, an OOSAR director, said the Rotary’s gift represents the first donation they received for their truck and trailer station. She noted the group obtained a $100,000 capital gaming grant from the province, adding the rest of the fundraising (more than $200,000) has come from their own efforts and other donations.
Arychuk said their new building will consist of three bays to accommodate all of their trucks and command trailers, which will finally be safely stored from the elements and secured from thieves.
Despite the community service that OOSAR provides, thieves have targeted the group by recently breaking into a command trailer, resulting in damage.
“We had to pay for the repairs out of our building fund,” Arychuk lamented.
But she’s excited about what the new building will mean for the squad.
“We figure we can save up to an hour of our call time if we’re able to just drive off and go (instead of scraping off the trucks in winter).”
Arychuk said once their equipment and gear are secure, they won’t run the risk of these tools not being available for rescues.
“Ultimately, what this does is it saves time which allows us for a better outcome in potentially saving a life by getting out there faster.”
