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Butte County Sheriff's Search and Rescue to host a "Fill the Backpack" fundraiser during the July 21st, 2017 Silver Dollar Speedway races to raise fun

CHICO, CA (7-18-17) - Thanks to the support from the Silver Dollar Speedway, the Butte County Sheriff�s Search and Rescue Team will be holding a �Fill the Backpack� fundraiser during the Sprint Car Races at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA. on Friday, July 21st, 2017. This will be an amazing �Buck Night�, where the cost to enter the main gate for the races is only one dollar per person. The Pit gates open at 4:00 pm and the main gate opens at 6:00 pm. If you have not been to the Silver Dollar Speedway for a while, this would be a great evening to come out and experience the Chico tradition of Sprint Car racing under the lights, and help out the Butte County Sheriff�s Search and Rescue Team at the same time.

Our team will have information available about joining our all-volunteer organization and detailing the many services we provide the community. There will be static displays of some of the Team�s equipment, and if timing allows, there may even be a special demonstration of our Team�s capabilities. If you have ever considered joining our elite team of volunteers, this would be a great opportunity to meet some of our members and catch a glimpse of what we do.

After the demonstration, Team members will be available in the stands to allow everyone to help �Fill the Backpack� by making a donation. Bring your checkbook if that helps you keep track of your tax deductions to our non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

Funds raised will be used to replace the Team�s �Command 1�. This vehicle is a critical part of every search effort � it houses the work stations, computers, wireless networking, printers, radio communication systems along with providing storage for our various high technology tools utilized during searches.

Our current Command Vehicle is a 1993 Chevy 2500 Diesel 4x4. We acquired this vehicle as a military surplus from Beale Air Force Base, where it started out life as an ambulance. It has been a great resource for our team, but at 24 years old, it is becoming increasing unreliable, and difficult to obtain repair parts.

The replacement Command Vehicle will be a new 2017 Ford F350 4x4 Diesel Pickup, outfitted with a shell/storage over the bed, winch, Code 3 lights and siren, as well as a new 16 foot custom-built trailer. The trailer will be designed with multiple work stations, computers, communications, generator and shore power capability, heating and air conditioning, and interior/exterior lighting.

We estimate the total cost of this truck and trailer combination will be $90,000. We are hoping that the Silver Dollar Speedway race fans will open their hearts and their wallets to help us meet our goal of raising $5,000 at this event.

The Butte County Sheriff�s Search and Rescue, Inc. is an all-volunteer non-profit (501 c 3) organization and is an auxiliary unit of the Butte County Sheriff�s Office. Search and Rescue members respond 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in any type of weather, and respond to many types of incidents including searches for lost or missing persons, technical/over-the-edge rescues including air rescue, swift water and dive rescues, mountain and remote area rescues, wild land fire and flood evacuations. These volunteers gladly take time away from home, work, family and friends to respond to these emergencies, in order to help others in need. The Team is very grateful to the citizens of Butte County for their continued support over the past 56 years that Butte County Sheriff�s Search and Rescue has been operating in Butte County.

For more information on this media release, contact BCSAR Public Relations Officer Dennis Schmidt, Schmidt@buttesar.org, or (530) 228-6161. For general information regarding Butte County Sheriff�s Search and Rescue, please call (530) 895-6577 or email public@buttesar.org. You can visit us online at www.buttesar.org or see our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BCSAR

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