“Hanging with the Heroes” is an exciting, unique event to benefit Larimer County Search and Rescue

Have a great time and help a great cause.

LARIMER COUNTY – How often do you get to mix with real, live heroes?  On June 17, come to the first-ever “Hanging with the Heroes,” an exciting, unique event to benefit Larimer County Search and Rescue (LCSAR).

Besides actual heroes from the Larimer County Search and Rescue team, Colorado Eagles players, Hooters girls and other celebrities, there will be a silent and a live auction, delicious free food and drinks and cash bar, fire trucks, rescue vehicles, entertainment, and great music from “Vehicle,” an eight-piece, all-styles variety rock band from Colorado Springs performing many genres–from Standards to Blues, Country to Classic rock and more.

All this – and more – will be happening at The Ranch Events Complex, home of the Budweiser Events Center on June 17, from 6 to 10 p.m.

Larimer County Search and Rescue: Brave local volunteers from Loveland and Fort Collins
Larimer County Search and Rescue is a non-profit organization run 100 percent by volunteers, which survives on community donations. LCSAR’s 85-plus members are all highly trained and certified in specialized search and rescue techniques. Over the past 40 years, LCSAR has responded to more than 1,000 emergencies and saved dozens of lives.

LCSAR works with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department, which provides meeting and office space, as well as some minor funding. LCSAR is the go-to group that handles complex, often dangerous search and rescue operations that other agencies simply can’t handle. If someone is rescued by any government-sponsored agency in Colorado, they may receive a hefty bill for the cost of that rescue; but LCSAR has never charged a victim for a rescue and never will.

According to John Lee, president of LCSAR, keeping the organization adequately funded has become the group‘s biggest challenge. In an effort to address LCSAR’s funding problem, the organization turned to one of its key donors, FireHouse Self Storage, well-known for its flag-flying vintage fire trucks, along with Skyline Moving. Both are Loveland-based companies.

 FireHouse Self Storage CEO Chris Burton says, “It is important that people understand that LCSAR is a 100 percent volunteer group and is not government sponsored. Most people have heard of LCSAR, but simply assume that they are part of the Larimer County government, which is incorrect.  They don’t get any government money. They don’t charge for any search or rescue. They actually hold car washes to raise money for their organization.”

 FireHouse Self Storage is Northern Colorado’s largest self-storage facility, with the widest variety of storage units in the area. It gives discounts to seniors, local businesses, military members and first responders, and does good works in the community and as a key donor to LCSAR. Three and a half years ago, FireHouse began giving a monthly percentage of its rent to LCSAR, says Burton. And now it has undertaken this event. The goal is to raise enough funds to pay for two full years of LCSAR’s operating costs.

 Why Larimer County Search and Rescue deserves your help
• It is a 100 percent volunteer organization. No member receives any compensation.
• It receives no city, state or federal funding.
• All donations go toward search and rescue costs, equipment and education.
• LCSAR members are recognized nationally and internationally for their special life-saving and rescue skills. They helped set the standards for search and rescue.
• It is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
• Its mission is to find and rescue lost and injured people before it is too late – anytime, anywhere.
• LCSAR is the search and rescue resource that Larimer County and Colorado turn to when mountainous terrain and/or conditions require the specialized skills that LCSAR members can provide.

How you can participate
 “People can help Larimer County Search and Rescue right now by donating specifically to the Hanging with the Heroes event, by buying tickets to the Fair like venue or sponsoring tables along with donating auction items,” says Chris Burton. VisitLarimerCountySAR.com for all the information and to be a part of Hanging with the Heroes. Or call 970-663-2988 for tickets today!

 “And then come out for the big event on June 17 and bring your friends and family to have a great day while helping a great community cause.”

 Go to firehouseselfstorage.com/hanging-with-the-heroes where you can see a current list of sponsors, which is growing every day.  

“There are amazing items in both the live auction and the silent auction that have been donated by a number of excellent companies in the area. You have never seen an event like this one,” says Barbi Burton, FireHouse Self Storage President.

 “Sponsors are still needed, and some tables are still available. Read more about the sponsorship levels and consider making a much needed contribution!”

 LCSAR is seeking $500 and $1,000 table sponsors, as well as donations for the live and silent auctions. Attendees can purchase individual seats for $100. Donors are asked to contact Richie Sanchez with FireHouse Self Storage at [email protected], or by calling 970-646-3938.

By Judy Finman, At Home. Photos by Timothy Seibert.