Old Bill's Highlight #2: "Train Big, Rescue Small"

It's a well-known fact that rescues get all the attention. But when it comes to how TCSAR volunteers spend the majority of their time, it's all about training. And more training. And more training.

TCSAR volunteers train at least twice a month, and even more when it involves helicopter operations. Last year, the volunteers spent a collective 10,842 hours on training, with 6,195 hours on rescues. Suffice to say it's a huge time commitment — but absolutely necessary for the volunteers to be Rescue Ready.

You can help support these efforts by TCSAR volunteers to save lives by donating to TCSAR Foundation at OldBills.org. It’s the best time of year to stretch your donation to help the team. Click the button below to find out more. Thanks for supporting TCSAR!

Old Bill's Giving Season, TCSAR Highlight #1: The Importance of TEAM

Teamwork is a huge component of TCSAR’s success, as this photo from a high-angle training shows. Photo: David Stubbs

How do TCSaR Volunteers Stay Rescue Ready?

That's a frequent question these days, especially considering how busy the volunteers have been in 2022. Since January 1, TCSAR has been called more than 90 times. This far outpaces the call volume last year, when the team had a record 105 calls for service.

The near constant stream of callouts means the volunteers need to be Rescue Ready at a moment's notice. That's why during this Old Bill's Giving Season — the most important event of the year to support TCSAR — we're bringing you insights to key pillars of the team's ability to respond: Teamwork, Training, Fitness, Equipment, and Community.

This week, we're focusing on Team. To the person, all 42 volunteers believe that what makes someone a great TCSAR volunteer are not their individual skills but their ability to work with the rest of the team.

To learn more about the importance of teamwork at TCSAR, click the button blow. Thanks for supporting the TEAM!

Old Bill's 2022 Kicks Off! The Most Important Event of the Year to Support TCSAR Volunteers

Today, August 12, marks the beginning of Old Bill's Giving Season, the most important event of the year to support Teton County Search & Rescue volunteers. In short, Old Bill's is responsible for more than a third of the TCSAR Foundation's annual budget. As the Foundation exists first and foremost to provide direct support for TCSAR volunteers, donations through Old Bill's go further in this effort than at any other time of year.

For the TCSAR Foundation, Old Bill's is all about celebrating the commitment of TCSAR volunteers. This year, the volunteers have been especially busy, going on more missions than ever before, saving lives and reuniting families. In coming weeks, we'll bring you stories and insights to how they remain "Rescue Ready" — no matter what.

Old Bill's Giving Season: Important Dates

August 12: Giving Season Kick Off & Rubber Ducky Regatta
September 10: Old Bill's Fun Run
September 16: Giving Season Closes (your last chance to donate!)

The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole opens Old Bill's Giving Season on Friday, August 12. To donate to TCSAR, go to OldBills.org and click the donate button. Then search for Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation. Or, just follow this link directly.

Thank you for supporting TCSAR volunteers!