Spending time in the rain isn’t the best way to spend the day, but for the Arrow Lakes Search and Rescue crew, fundraising for their cause is a good enough reason.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. a few members took shifts manning a barbecue and raffle stand under a gazebo outside Artistic Imaging on Broadway St. Throughout sales of the raffle tickets, the main prize being a large garden boulder, and the barbecue, $900 was raised. Gord Hogaboam of Arrow Lakes Search and Rescue says with the money, they will be buying a “thermo-bag” for missions where they need to keep people warm, especially those in a hypothermic state. This one product will cost between $500 and $600, Hogaboam states, which means they will have some money in the bank for other equipment.

Arrow Lakes Search and Rescue is an all-volunteer squad, which Hogaboam says is always looking for new members who are physically fit and willing to learn. The team recently lost a few members who had specialty training in swift river rescues and rope rescues, Hogaboam says, which means more people will need the training -- which can put strain on members because of time lost at work to receive the training and also on search and rescue because of their limited funds.

“Funding for the training is going to get a lot tougher,” says Hogaboam about provincial funding.

The challenges arising for the local search and rescue crew are having to meet the same criteria that larger centers from the Lower Mainland have to meet. Hogaboam gave the example that in North Shore, they may get 200 calls a year, but they have 60 members and a budget of $2.5 million. “Our people all work jobs and are still expected to respond and give them same level of services as the big groups who have funding,” remarks Hogaboam.

Artistic Imaging owner Joseph Campbell donated all the materials for the barbecue and the raffle draw. Hogaboam says Arrow Lakes Search and Rescue would like to thank Campbell for giving them a hand in the fundraiser.

Artistic Imaging had its grand opening the day of the fundraiser and offered price cuts on their inventory of office supplies while artist Barbara Maye gave free tutorials on drawing in the back of the shop.