The Arrowsmith Search and Rescue Society has received much-needed donations to help pay for the cost of its new operations centre, currently being built just in front of the Qualicum Beach Airport.
A former member of ASAR, Liz Sahlstrom, made a $5,000 donation and Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Zone 5 members donated $1,000, presented by Erica Kavanaugh to the ASAR on Dec. 2.
Sahlstrom was an ASAR volunteer for 12 years, often acting as the command radio operator. She was happy to contribute to the new ASAR building that will help the group better serve the region.
When she was with ASAR, Sahlstrom, who loves horses, was also in charge of the group’s mounted team, one of a very few specialized equine search and rescue teams in the province.
In 2019, Sahlstrom was diagnosed with progressive bulbar palsy, a motor neuron disease. She continued to ride until this year, for safety reasons, she had to make an extremely hard decision to sell her horse and trailer. The proceeds from the sale, Sahlstrom donated to the ASAR.
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ASAR president Ken Peters expressed thanks to generous donations.
The ASAR’s operations centre project cost $1.2 million and the group is still looking for more donations.
For more information on how to donate or become a member, you can check the Arrowsmith Search and Rescue online at http://arrowsmithsar.ca/
— NEWS Staff