Search and Rescue fundraiser was a barn burner

For years Big Horn Search and Rescue facilitated the demolition derby as a fundraiser. However, that tradition has passed, and now residents can look forward to an annual event at Armory Park.

Search and Rescue captain Wes Mangus said the outpouring of support from the community during Friday’s music in the park event was absolutely amazing, and if Ty Sammons and others will play music, they will continue the event. Lovell Town Administrator Jed Nebel agrees, stating when asked about future events, “Absolutely, especially after the feedback we received from the community. It was clear that we need more events like this.”

The SAR team made it easy for everyone to donate during the concert gathering. Whether it was a Venmo donation or simply putting cash in the boot, the new format has been successful. It should be noted that donations can be made to Big Horn County Search and Rescue year-round, as well. 

Big Horn County Search and Rescue has 60 members between the south end and north end of the county. In the past there have been two separate squads, however, due to decreased funding they have merged into one all volunteer organization. The funds raised Friday night will help finance rescue equipment, advanced training and medical supplies to continue their efforts to bring people home safely if the worst happens while exploring Big Horn County.

The evening began with Jim Vaneck followed by local favorites Reece May, Maci Lucht and Miranda Snyder. Following those performances Smoking Aces took the stage and sang the community into the night. A beautiful evening under a full moon ended with the slightest of breezes to fly the giant American flag next to the stage. The only thing that may have made the evening even better would have been more dancing – perhaps next year. 

Mangus said he was hoping the event would raise $3,000 to $4,000, but it raised far more. Big Horn Search and Rescue ranks number 2 in the number of calls for the state, and as the calls continue to increase, managing the decreasing budget has placed the team in a perilous situation. Heeding this call, the community stepped up in a big way Friday night, raising almost $12,000 to help fund the organization. The entire SAR team is overwhelmed and “beyond words” with the level of support they have received, Mangus said. 

Mangus not only thanks the community for its outpouring of support but also the musicians, Sammons Excavation and the Town of Lovell. The park is “immaculate and provides a perfect location where we as a community can get together, meet each other and support one another,” he said. With 21 north end SAR members and four from the south end of the county attending the event, along with several hundred community members, the musical evening was not only well attended and supported but also welcomed by everyone.

Nebel echoed gratitude saying, “Huge thanks to Ty Sammons of Sammons Excavation for all his help on this event. Without someone with his background in putting on concerts, this would have been a much harder endeavor. Thank you to all of our sponsors who donated equipment, the Town of Lovell Parks Department for getting the venue ready to go, and thank you to all of the citizens for attending and donating to Search and Rescue.”

Nebel also has some ideas to make the event even better next year after seeing the highly successful event, and he agrees with the consensus opinion, noting, “It was a great night for the community to get out and enjoy the evening with family and friends and for the Big Horn County Search and Rescue fundraiser. I feel like it was a win-win for a multitude of reasons.”