DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — The Douglas County Search and Rescue team responds to several hundred calls a year, and while they get funding from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, they also rely on community support.
This weekend, a car show is planning to provide just that.
Visitors can see more than 70 cars new and old alike at the Roseburg Benefit Car Show, with proceeds going toward funding for both the search and rescue team and the Douglas material and equipment fund for handicapped children.
“All of those funds help us to procure equipment, replace equipment as it either is damaged or needs to be retired, because things like helmets, ropes — that sort of nature — have a life that they are safe to use and then they have to be replaced,” Search and Rescue Coordinator Larissa May said.
The funding also allows DCSR to send volunteers and its employees on training events, in and out of the state, in order to be qualified to serve on the team.
Last year, DCSR received $7,000 from the car show. This allowed them to spend money on equipment and certified clothing for volunteers, something those volunteers would normally have to provide themselves, according to May.
“The sheriff’s office receives its budget and then Search and Rescue is a program of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, so obviously we have to be wise with how we spend our money to fulfill all the duties that the sheriff’s office has, and this just helps suppliment, so that we can have the best equipment or replace equipment more readily, and provide those trainings at no cost to our volunteers when we can cover them,” she said. “Otherwise, volunteers in our program are responsible for procuring their own equipment and paying for additional trainings that are not offered in our agency.”
This year, car show organizers are trying to raise even more for the program to keep up with the constant calls DCSO receives.
Contributing to DCSR’s success hits home for the many families involved with the car show team.
“Most of my family is in search and rescue and they’ve got friends that are in there, and we’re real close, and my wife and daughter do K-9, and my son does ground and four-by-four for search and rescue, and they do a great job,” Car Show Co-Chair Gordon Boyd said.
The car show is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
The event features a raffle with various prizes and vendors offering food and car-related accessories.
Tickets are $8 each at the door and children 12 and under get in free.
To learn more about DCSR, visit their website here.
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