DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - South Peace Search and Rescue is receiving a major boost to its operations after being selected as the latest recipient of funding from 100 Women Who Care Dawson Creek, during the organization’s fall gathering.
The award comes during a milestone year for 100 Women Who Care Dawson Creek, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Dawson Creek.
The volunteer emergency response group was awarded $12,500, with donations still being accepted following the event.
For South Peace Search and Rescue, the funding will help improve response capabilities in the backcountry and other hard-to-reach areas.
“When I saw the cheque and our organization’s name announced, my mind just went right away to what this means for our volunteers and our community,” said Daniel Winstead, training officer and vice-president with South Peace Search and Rescue.
Winstead said the team plans to use the money to help winterize the organization’s new Utility Terrain Vehicle that can access areas larger vehicles cannot reach.
“Basically it’s going to speed up our response time and help us get into places that normally we can’t,” Winstead said.
The donation was chosen by members of 100 Women Who Care Dawson Creek, who gather twice a year to hear presentations from three local organizations before voting on which project will receive the collective donation.
Co-founder Annette Jalbert said the concept remains simple more than a decade after it began.
“What we do is come together twice a year. Three recipients are given five minutes to explain who they are and what they want to do with the money,” Jalbert said. “Then the members who are present get to vote on who will receive the donation.”
Jalbert said the Dawson Creek chapter was launched in 2016, after she and fellow founder Chante Patterson-Elden learned about the initiative during a personal development event.
“This little adventure started on a road trip in October 2016,” Jalbert said. “We came back, put pencils to paper and started planning, and on Dec. 1 we launched our very first 100 Women Who Care Dawson Creek chapter.”
Since then, the organization has directed $247,500 back into the community
“It’s amazing. It’s pretty powerful,” Jalbert said. “When you really sit back and think about it, this is just a group of women who have come together and we’ve raised $235,000.”
“Our goal was always to bring women together and make a difference, and that’s exactly what we’ve been able to do,” Jalbert said. “It’s absolutely amazing every single time.”
Jalbert said the organization is always looking for new members and encourages women to attend a meeting even if they are unsure about joining.
Beyond supporting local charities, she said the gatherings provide an opportunity to connect with other women from across the community and learn about organizations making a difference in Dawson Creek. “Just come and be in the room,” Jalbert said.
“The room says everything we need it to say.” She noted the events have become both a charitable initiative and a valuable networking opportunity, bringing together women from a wide range of professions and backgrounds who share a common goal of giving back locally.
The organization continues to welcome new members and hopes to grow participation as it enters its second decade of community giving.