North Shore Search and Rescue says it’s hoping to sell all 5,000 tickets to this year’s Canada Day Duck Race.
Fundraising Chair Steve Jackson says the proceeds will go towards the 2025-26 operating costs.
He says that without any government support, the public’s enthusiasm provides the funding for insurance, training, and equipment.
Jackson adds that this year, the funds will help with those costs, but they are also hoping to purchase ‘an ice rescue craft’, medical equipment and specialized training dummies.
Tickets are now on sale, $5 a duck or $20 for a flock of five, either online or in cash at the Espanola Public Library.
The race takes place on July 1st at 11 am on the Spanish River, with hundreds taking in the spectacle of the bright yellow ducks making their way from the mill down to the boat launch.
Jackson says the unit, made up of trained volunteers, and is responsible for a catchment area from Blind River to West Nipissing, and Cartier to Parry Sound, including Killarney and Manitoulin Island. This area encompasses nearly 300,000 people and 12,000 square kms, and in order to effectively cover this large catchment area, the team is comprised of two main units – the Operations centre in Espanola and a unit in Sudbury.
One of several units in Canada, they average 15 calls a year, with a skilled membership averaging around 20 volunteers hailing from the local area.
Jackson says they are always looking for volunteers to either help with fundraising or organizational initiatives.
North Shore Rescue offers a variety of SAR services, including ground Search and Rescue in urban environments, Ice Rescue, Marine rescue, public education, and civil emergency response.
There is no charge for these services of the team.
Founded in 1989, the service has 36 years of experience under its belt.
Jackson adds that North Shore Search and Rescue (NSSAR) is a not-for-profit charitable organization which is staffed by the collective efforts of trained volunteers, who bring together their time and talents to provide help to those who are in need in a search or rescue emergency.
NSSAR is governed by a Constitution and has a Board of Directors that meet once a month.
NSSAR is a member of the Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSARVA) and the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC).
In addition, NSSAR provides public education programs for all ages.
These programs include Adventure Smart, perhaps best known for its Hug a Tree & Survive workshops, aimed at teaching young people what to do and how to be safe in the great outdoors, and NSSAR is a partner in the Project Lifesaver program which is geared to any individual who is at risk of wandering from their caregivers, be they children with autism or a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
These individuals constitute a vulnerable sector of our population, says Jackson, and NSSAR strives to do everything possible to ensure their safety.
He adds NSSAR has an annual operating budget of $40,000 and does not receive financial assistance from any level of government.
In order to purchase equipment and sustain their operations, they must fundraise, apply for grants, and depend upon the generosity of sponsors/donors.
More information is available on their site on Facebook or at http://www.northshoresearchandrescue.ca/
Tickets are available at the Espanola Public Library or by going online at: rafflebox.ca/raffle/nssr
