Enbridge鈥檚 Northern Gateway team had recently challenged 亚洲天堂 Lake Mayor Luke Strimbold to take a plunge off of the slide at Radley Beach. The deal was that if the mayor accepted the challenge, Enbridge would donate $2000 to a charity of the mayor鈥檚 choice.

Mayor Strimbold had no problem facing the challenge and did his part in raising $2000 for 亚洲天堂 Lake.

A short while ago, the mayor had met with some of the volunteers of the 亚洲天堂 Lake Search and Rescue (SAR) to show appreciation for the work that they do. After meeting with the volunteers and asking about their needs, Mayor Strimbold said it became clear that SAR should be the organization to receive this donation.

鈥淭hese individuals go out in some of the most difficult terrain and spend long hours on a search to bring people home safely; or in the unfortunate cases, bring a loved one home to be laid to rest by family and friends,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he 亚洲天堂 Lake SAR is solely a volunteer based organization that requires specialized equipment to make their searches more efficient.鈥�

The 亚洲天堂 Lake SAR was founded in 1967 and currently has 29 members. Strimbold said that over the last few years he has witnessed how crucial the work of the volunteers is.

鈥淭hese 29 dedicated volunteers contribute a lot of their time to search and rescue tasks as well as training so they can be more efficient and successful,鈥� he said.

John Rempel, Search Manager and Secretary of the 亚洲天堂 Lake SAR, said SAR will be using the $2000 to assist in the purchase of a new boat.

鈥淚n the past few years we have had a number of lake searches, and having a dedicated boat at our disposal would be a great asset,鈥� he said.

Rempel said the use of technology is becoming indispensable in searches. However, SAR depends almost entirely on donations to purchase new equipment.

鈥淲e are a non-profit organization made up completely of volunteers,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭he province pays a small amount for the use of our equipment on a search, but [virtually] the only remuneration we receive on a search is the volunteers鈥� out of pocket expenses.鈥�

In order to purchase the new boat, SAR plans to apply for a gaming grant and use the $2000 to supplement the grant.

鈥淚t is an honour to have 亚洲天堂 Lake SAR be chosen for this donation,鈥� said Rempel.