Richmond's volunteer-driven search and rescue team is holding its first dinner and dance fundraiser at the Britannia Shipyard's seine net loft.
The Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 10 (RCMSAR) event on Sept. 13 costs $75 with a cash bar, silent auction and raffle as well. Monies raised will go towards equipment upkeep and replacement.
“We are partly doing this to fundraise but to also say thanks to the community for their support and to highlight the work our guys are doing,” said the station’s spokesperson Brian Hobbs.
“We want to have an event for everyone where everyone can have a good time and at the same time, a fundraiser for us that is more focused.”
The search and rescue group has held carwash fundraisers in the past and often attends various community events such as Ships to Shore and the now defunct Jimmy Ng Memorial Street Hockey Tournament.
The rescue station's annual operating budget is about $20,000, split between the federal government, the province's community gaming grant and public donations.
Tickets can be purchased by emailing Hobbs at [email protected].
Richmond's search and rescue has two vessels, one based in Steveston and the other near the Olympic oval.
They also operate two training vessels. The non-profit organization currently has 40 volunteers and is always recruiting. Interested applicants must commit to five months of training and be available, on call, one night a week, and one weekend a month. More information about volunteering can be found at www.rcmsar10.org.
