The following is a press release issued by Mendocino County Search and Rescue:
On December 17th 2023, a Rotary Club project was finalized here in Mendocino County helping our local Mendocino County Search and Rescue team with some much-needed rain gear. For the past 20 plus years, our local Search and Rescue team had been utilizing their own personal rain coats in all different designs, colors, brands with no uniformity whatsoever. But before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you the entire story that you may not have heard. Mendocino County has a total of 5 Rotary clubs including 2 in Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Mendocino and Willits. Back in the summer 2023 the Mendocino County Search and Rescue team made a local presentation to three of the five Mendocino County Rotary Clubs, with the intent to help raise $20,000 to purchase rain jackets for the entire team. The presentations seemed to go well with positive feedback from each club. A few weeks later, South Ukiah Rotary club President, Chris Philbrick contacted me, as the SAR board Secretary sharing, that he was exploring a path to help the team. This Rotary project was spearheaded by Philbrick, presenting an idea to all of the Mendocino County Rotary clubs and Rotary International as well. Four out of the five local clubs together would do a collaborative grant with matching funds coming from Rotary International with $24,000 raised to purchase rain jackets and pants for our local Mendocino County Search and Rescue Team.
After reviewing several manufacturing companies, Mountain Uniforms, Colombia and Arc’teryx. The decision was made to go with the Arc’teryx manufacturer brand, as their product deemed to be the best for being water tight utilizing the latest technology in these gore-tex jackets. All of the patches, logos and screen printing needed to be finalized next. Lisa Davey-Bates, past South Ukiah Rotary club President, was instrumental in getting the Rotary club logo for a patch design that Starkey’s of Ukiah was able to bring to life. Several patch designs, sizes and shapes were presented and one was finalized by the Rotary team. Next came the design and placement of all of the patches, scripting, pockets and Velcro for the name badges. Reflective screen-printing placement was thoughtfully laid out. The manufacturer, Arc’teryx had added the special reflective screen printing and piping on the jackets and the design proof was sent over for final review before the manufacturing was started. It took just 6 weeks to complete the manufacturing process with the jackets being delivered the first week in December. Annually, the Mendocino County Search and Rescue team has an end of the year dinner and award presentation for its members at the Broiler Steak House. This year this was scheduled to be on Sunday December 17, 2023 with the four Mendocino County Rotary Clubs coming together for a presentation of the new gear. In attendance was Sheriff Matt Kendall, retired Sheriff and Willits Rotary member Tom Allman, South Ukiah Rotary President Chris Philbrick, John Nickerson South Ukiah Rotary Club Service Director, Lucy Nickerson South Ukiah Rotary Club Community Services Director, Carolyn Welch South Ukiah Rotary Treasurer, Dianna Trouette South Ukiah Rotary Foundation Chair Ukiah Rotary Club President Lee Kraemer, Willits Rotary club member Tara Moratti, Fort Bragg Rotary Club Area Governor Gary Champlin and his wife Eve.
Do you ever have thoughts of making a difference in your local community? Think about joining one of these local Rotary Clubs in the town near you. They are making a difference right here in our own backyards. Thanks so much to the Rotary Clubs of Mendocino County who worked on this project. It is much appreciated!
