PORT McNEILL—It was Merry Christmas in March for Port McNeill's Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Chapter 50 last week, as the Port McNeill Lioness presented the volunteers rescue workers with a cheque for $1,000 at the local Lion Hall.
"This will be used for personal protective equipment, vests and gear for search and rescue," said Aaron Frost, who with fellow RCMSR member Jonathan Flintoft accepted the cheque from Lioness president Christina Hinton.
"We're almost entirely funded by donations," said Flintoft. "We're very grateful for groups like the Lioness for this assistance.
The money was raised through the annual Lioness Christmas Showcase, held in late November at the Old School. Some of the money from the group's largest fund-raiser has been shared with other recipients, and a portion has been held back to replace two appliances at the Lion's Hall.
"Otherwise, that's pretty much it for this year," said Hinton.
After the cheque presentation, Frost pulled out a tablet to show the Lioness members photos of the squad's rescue boat and the type of gear they were helping to purchase.
Frost noted his unit does receive a small stipend, mostly to cover fuel for the high-speed, inflatable rescue boat. It receives a slightly higher amount when members are called out on a rescue, as they were that evening, following the presentation.
RCMSR Chapter 50 has also set up a non-profit society devoted to helping support and fund the chapter.
For information on joining the Chapter or the society, call Frost at 250-230-0799.
For information on the Lioness or to inquire about joining, call Hinton at 250-956-4400.