BONNYVILLE/COLD LAKE — Two Lakeland search and rescue organizations were in the spotlight during Lakeland Co-op’s Fuel Good Day, with support flowing to both the Bonnyville and Cold Lake teams as they continue building their volunteer emergency response capabilities.

Bonnyville Search and Rescue and Cold Lake Search and Rescue were the local beneficiaries of Fuel Good Day, with Lakeland Co-op donating 10 cents from every litre of gasoline and diesel sold at participating gas bars.

Another $1 from every Co-operative Coffee and Big Cool sold was donated, while the Bonnyville and Cold Lake locations also turned the fundraiser into a community event with barbecued hot dogs available for customers stopping in to fuel up.

The September 15 fundraiser added another layer of support for two volunteer organizations that rely on community fundraising, donations and grants to purchase equipment and maintain their ability to respond when called.

$10,000 boost for Bonnyville Search and Rescue

For Bonnyville Search and Rescue, Fuel Good Day followed another significant show of support from Lakeland Co-op and Federated Co-operatives Limited.

The organization received a separate $10,000 donation toward renovating and upgrading its Incident Command Post trailer.

The trailer provides Search and Rescue members with a mobile base of operations that can be deployed during searches and emergency responses, giving crews a central location to coordinate personnel, equipment, and operations in the field.

That $10,000 contribution was separate from the money raised through Fuel Good Day.

Cold Lake Search and Rescue rebuilding and growing

In Cold Lake, Fuel Good Day came as Cold Lake Search and Rescue continues a major rebuilding effort.

The organization’s growth recently caught the attention of Cold Lake City Council.

After a council tour of the organization, Councillor Chris Vining reported that Cold Lake Search and Rescue has grown to about 30 members, with more than 20 fully certified to participate in searches.

Vining said he was impressed by the equipment, technology and plans the organization has in place as it continues developing its capabilities.

The City has also provided direct support.

Cold Lake Council approved a $3,000 Leadership Grant for Cold Lake Search and Rescue through its Community Recreation, Art, Culture and Heritage Investment Grant program.

The organization told the City its Fuel Good Day fundraising would help purchase additional equipment for the team.

Along with the fuel and beverage proceeds, Cold Lake Search and Rescue held a barbecue and raffle during the event, with proceeds directed toward equipment purchases.

The organization’s mission — “So Others May Live” — reflects the volunteer role its members take on when someone is missing or an emergency requires trained search personnel.

For both Bonnyville and Cold Lake Search and Rescue, the support comes down to building local capacity before an emergency happens.

And this time, helping them do it was as easy as filling the tank.