La Plata County Search and Rescue ran a robust fundraising campaign ahead of Tuesday’s Colorado Gives and raked in $14,517 as a result.

The day’s haul fell short of an ambitious $50,000 goal. Still, leaders of the group say they are immensely grateful for the community support. Across the state, organizations raised over $54 million on Tuesday.

LPCSAR is a volunteer-run organization that partners with area agencies and responds to a range of emergencies across the county when mobilized by the sheriff. The 100 members of the organization are not paid for their work and are on-call to respond at all hours of the day. The teams respond to between 45 and 60 missions each year.

“We’ve got such a fantastic community,” said LPCSAR President Ron Corkish.

Coral Smith, the organization’s community outreach coordinator, said last year’s effort raised over $20,000 because local businesses agreed to match donations from the public. This year, she said LPCSAR decided not to call on struggling small businesses.

Instead, Smith launched a social media campaign leading up to the day introducing some of the volunteers and the work they do.

The organization is trying to replace the radios that rescuers use to communicate with one another and aircraft. Smith said the current equipment is 20 years old, and a batch of eight new radios costs about $35,000.

“Comms in the backcountry is so important,” she said.

Donations also go toward replacing haul ropes, first aid training and other critical pieces of rescue equipment.

“It is always so phenomenal and endearing when the community does show up and supports us because we are 100% volunteer and our number one fundraiser is private people,” Smith said.

LPCSAR is still accepting donations online at coloradogives.org and laplatasar.org or by mail, at La Plata County Search & Rescue, P.O. Box 1885, Durango, CO 81302.

rschafir@durangoherald.com