Big Horn County SAR makes top two for Defender Service Awards, raises $24k locally

The Big Horn County Search and Rescue gun raffle raised just under $24,000 for the organization’s new nonprofit foundation. The funds will go towards equipment for the all-volunteer crew. 

More good news for SAR, the organization announced it has made the top two for the Landrover Defender Service Awards thanks to help from local voters in the nationwide competition. Captain Jeff Schmidt will travel to the Defender Days Festival in California, where the winner will be announced Sept. 12. SAR volunteer Morgan Kleiderlein-Defort shared that the organization plans to host a watch party for the big news. 

Also over the weekend, SAR responded to three calls to Cloud Peak and one to Bighorn Canyon. All involved reportedly made it out safe. 

“For everyone who came out Saturday, bought a raffle ticket, grabbed a beer, bid on an auction item, donated, or simply showed up: this is what you’re supporting,” Big Horn County SAR wrote in a release.