On April 22, 2023, our community came together to show their support for the Tillamook County Search and Rescue Team at their annual SAR Banquet and Auction. More than 250 people attended in person, and that’s not counting TCSO staff, TCSAR volunteers and volunteers from the PNW Fire Relief organization who served up the delicious dinner prepared by Chef Nelia and her crews at Pacific Restaurant and Nani papa’a.
Mike Bentley provided the sound and MC duties, County Commissioners David Yamamoto and Mary Faith Bell helped serve food and sign people up for the live auction, as Auctioneer, Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt, got attendees to open their hearts, and their wallets, for a great cause. “We had over 90 items donated to the live and silent auctions,” said Sheriff Joshua Brown. “And we raised $52,000 for the SAR team. People were extremely generous and It was a very fun night.”
One of the highlights of the evening was when Sheriff Brown presented a Sheriff’s Award for Civilian Commendation to Dick Crossley for his many years of tireless commitment as a SAR volunteer, as well his generosity in financial support of the team for more nearly two decades. Crossley received a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd.
The last item to be auctioned was a very special featured item, a Remington 300 Winchester Mag memorial rifle in honor of much-loved TCSO Deputy Dean Burdick. Chris and Jamie Wilks were the winners of the rifle with a very generous $5,000 bid. Continuing his generosity, the Wilks told the crowd that the rifle would return to the Burdick-Garcia family where it belongs.TCSO wants to thank all of those individuals and organizations who donated auction items, attended the event and made bids. We also want to thank those that provided the food items and beverages for the dinner: Werner’s Beef and Brew, Pelican Brewery, the Fern Restaurant, Dick Crossley and Bottom’s Up Bartending for serving up the drinks.We are already planning next year’s SAR banquet and auction and its going to be packed with even more fun. To become a SAR volunteer, please visit tillamooksheriff.com
