NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2025 

We are excited to announce that we reached our $10000 donation goal to receive the match grant from the Harry Morrison Foundation.  The proof of the $10000 raised was sent to the foundation and they approved the deposits and will be sending the check to us soon.  We also received a $2500 grant from AG West Farm Credit. 

The grants and donations we are receiving is going to training and supplies for the volunteers.  Our next big purchase is going to be a drone(s).  Conrad Banez is studying to take the FAA Drone testing. This training along with the tracking training that Garry Elder is going to take at the end of May will be extremely valuable.

We have meeting once a month and have a good turn out for the meetings.  We have a great team so far!  We are lucky to have them on our team!  Here is a list of our volunteers:

Conrad Banez Rich Hieter Alisha Cereghino Brandy Hensen Chad Hensen

James Hohenstreet Adriana Volz Garry Elder Carrie Sayor Steven Williams

Emily Willis Paul Gatti Kelsey Gatti Taylor Graham Randy Wenslawski

We also have one minor who is on our team!

If you or anyone you know want to be a part of our team, go to the Become a Volunteer tab and fill out the information.  I will be sure to contact you and get you information to becoming a part of our team!

MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER

During our meeting on March 20, 2025, we discussed that our volunteer, Garry Elder, is going to go to a training with Joel Hardin Professional Tracking Services in May.  Joel Hardin is a tracker and is nationwide known.  We are excited to have him go to this training.

We had a CalTopo training as well.  It is a program that allows the incident command center to track the volunteers when they go out on a case.  There is a lot to learn from this program, but it is worth it.

JANUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER

We are wanting to have another fun fundraiser.  We are wanting to have a Valentine’s dance in February.  We will have the date at the meeting on January 30.  

Sonar Training:

Doug Bishop from United Search Corp has graciously volunteered to come over and train some of our team in sonar.  We are not exactly sure of the date(s) yet, but will be in touch with Doug later in the winter to pinpoint a date.  We will let you know once we have finalized all the details.

Need to get in touch with Cody or Andrea?

cody@rigginsambulance.org  President

andrea@rigginsambulance.org Secretary/Treasurer

Next Meeting….  January 30, 2025 at 6 pm at the Riggins Community Center in the basement.  

Since our last newsletter….   

We have our non-profit paperwork from the IRS!  We have applied for 4 grants to date.  Feeling good about it.  We have been tasked to raise $10,000 by December 2025 and we will receive a $10,000 grant from the Harry Morrison Foundation.  

Andrea spoke with Airbridge and they are donating not only the installation, but also the monthly expense for internet.  This will be at her home since this is the Incident Command Center at this time.  She is doing the grants and has been putting together information for the website, as well as the trainings.  

Andrea has researched other search and rescues around Idaho and the nation and has found the training classes other SAR groups are taking.  She is taking all the classes too, so if you have any questions, please reach out to her.

Update on the Harry Morrison Foundation grant-

Another update:  As of 3/7/25, we have received a total of $9825 in donations!  We are $175 away from our $10000 goal. Once we receive the remainder of our goal, we will send in our bank statement showing the donations to the Harry Morrison Foundation. They will then write us a check for the $10000 match!  

We cannot thank the people/business who have donated to RCRC enough!  It is your help that makes it possible for us to get the supplies, equipment and training we need to make our organization possible.  Thank you all, you are greatly appreciated!

If anyone is interested in  purchasing this painting, the American Flag,  the proceeds from the sale will go to RCRC.  Please contact Andrea at 986-210-7745 or by emailing her at andrea@rigginsambulance.org.

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As of 3/1/2025, we have received $9315 in donations thanks to all of the overwhelming support from the local community as well as companies in Boise, Lewiston and Grangeville!  Looks like we will meet our goal directly and will be able to purchase the remainder of the supplies we need for the volunteers as well as training for FAA Drone testing and a Man Tracking training.  We may also be able to purchase a drone and/or sonar equipment.  Continued support is necessary in order for us to get a UTV.

We are continuing to apply for grants to purchase the rest of what we need for our volunteers to be safe when they are called to help search for a missing person.

Again, thank you for all of your support whether it is financial or just that you support our cause and are thankful we are doing this.  It means a lot to us that you want this SAR here in Riggins!

This is a link that you can donate to as well.  It is for the Match Grant donation.  If we get $10000 by Deccember 2025, Harry Morrison Foundation will match it $10000.