Chaffee County Search and Rescue
“Folks have a right to expect that if disaster befalls them and they call 911, something good will start to happen.”
Superman Never Made Any Money
We know that the public land, 82% of Chaffee County, is why this county brings in tourism along with most of us who would like a day to hunt, fish , ATV, snowmobile, mountain bike, climb and simply, to enjoy the outdoors. But what might be news, is that about 80% of this county’s land is also two hours outside the Emergency Services (911) network. So, when your average tourist is meandering into an unforeseen fall snowstorm in the high country, who is going to trudge through the early freeze to save him? He needs a search team, he needs rescue experts, he needs…volunteers?
The Undercover Backcountry Agents
That’s right, Chaffee County Search and Rescue (CCSAR) is 100% volunteer based and has been since 1964 when it started. There are a few old timers still volunteering to prove it. “They live this stuff, and they love it,” says member Bill Baker of the whole crew. Baker adds that CCSAR has “historically been, frankly, shy. They don’t like tooting their own horns or drawing attention to themselves.” Though shy, CCSAR is on call all day every day, in every season and all weather. These people are tough. And well qualified.
Each CCSAR member must have, at a minimum, CPR and First Aid skills, but many have had their wilderness first aid or wilderness first responder training. Most members have even had “lift ticket” training from flight for life. Emergency room staff, EMT’s, doctors, swiftwater technicians and those with high and low angle evacuation certification are all counted in CCSAR’s numbers. The volunteers are experts in many extreme outdoor activities from ATV and dirtbike travel to backcountry skiing to mountaineering to avalanche hazard evaluation. But even in their expertise, they work unselfishly under the radar.
Mission Possible
“Missions can last from couple hours to days,” Baker says, “Members who respond to missions are prepared to be in the backcountry for 12 to 24 hours in any weather, and at any altitude.” In just the last year, missions have involved a lost four-year-old girl, a broken femur by snowmobile at Cottonwood Pass and more.
Above The Weather
These volunteers are Chaffee County’s heroes because they do what they do, and they do it for you. In every mission these volunteers willingly put themselves in harm’s way in all kinds of undesirable conditions. When the call is answered, these men and women don’t know how “long or how cold, hot, high, wet, dry, technical, far or hard the mission will be.” And they donate their cars, backcountry gear and, most importantly, their time to Search and Rescue every year.
How You Can Support The Team Chaffee County Search and Rescue, like any organization that survives off the generosity of others, is to make a donation. Donations can be sent to:
Chaffee County Search and Rescue
PO Box 1671, Buena Vista, CO 81211
The Go To Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to Chaffee County Search And Rescue.
Kim Bouldin
“Whatever the event or cause, you’ll probably see Kim Bouldin’s name on the ‘thank you’ list.” – Barb Bayne
It’s Just Who She Is
When everyone else in Salida is making holiday meals and Christmas cookies, Kim Bouldin is planning the 3rd annual “Girl’s Night Out for a Cause” Christmas Party. This isn’t your average night out. This event that Kim started is celebrated by bringing a new gift to donate to local children, so those kids can have Christmas too. This, as they say, is just the tip of the iceberg ; whether it’s the Alliance Against Domestic Abuse, Boys and Girls club, 1st Presbyterian church kids group or a number of other volunteer activities, Kim is in it all and loving it all.
Beginnings
Salida didn’t know what hit it when Kim moved here in the spring of 1995. She had her eye on Arkansas River’s whitewater, but when the summer was over, Kim was still here. Kim says she “fell in love with the valley and never left.” Despite her degree in social work Kim worked seasonally, on the river in the summers and at Monarch in the winter, for several years. But it wasn’t long before her heart reminded her why she got that degree in the first place.
Fighting Domestic Abuse
In 1996 Kim became a volunteer Victim’s Advocate for the sheriff’s office and became a board member for the Alliance Against Domestic Abuse. As a board member, Kim wrote a grant to fund a Child Advocate position; it passed, and she began working for AADA. This non-profit organization is designed to serve domestic violence and sexual assault victims specifically in Chaffee County. In just this last year, 234 adult and child victims received crisis intervention, emergency safehousing, support groups, advocacy, financial assistance and peer counseling through AADA. During her time working for AADA she also started the pledge-based fun ride called the “Crest Crank” over the Monarch Crest single-track mountain bike trail on Monarch Pass. “My heart was in raising awareness in the community about the impact of domestic violence, and I wanted to do so through creative fundraising and marketing,” says Kim.
Bon Appétit!
In 2002, now with a family of four, including her husband Scott and two children, Lillian and Cooper, Kim shifted her career to include pizzeria owner. Kim started Moonlight Pizza and with it came community support, not only because it is an excellent eating establishment, but because every Monday 10% of sales go to a local community organization. “We don’t give a lot to any one group, but do like to show our support and appreciation for these important organizations and the people within. There are so many great efforts that added together make Salida the great community I love so much,” comments Kim.
“She is a great example of think global act local. A volunteer with her head, heart and pocketbook.” -Barb Bayne
With all her volunteer time and compassion for others, Kim is absolutely a community hero. “She deserves the kudos,” adds Barb Bayne, and that’s exactly what you can give her with your support of the organizations below.
Donations can be made to: AADA P.O. Box 173, Salida, CO 81201
Numerous volunteer opportunities, including crisis counseling, fundraising and board membership are available at AADA. Call 719-539-7347
The Go To Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to Alliance Against Domestic Abuse.
