BC couple makes another donation to COSAR after spending summer cleaning up backcountry

Last year it was a $700 donation, this year they were able to donate $1,800 to Central Okanagan Search and Rescue.

Raymond Imbeau, 74, and his partner Barbara Kitz spent about 100 days scouring the BC Interior backcountry on their Can-Am ATV’s last summer.

They weren’t just seeking adventure, however, they were out looking for cans, bottles and more, cleaning up our beautiful province while collecting recyclable items they could exchange for cash.

After collecting about 8,000 refundable liquor bottles in 2018, they managed to scoop up more than 20,000 containers this year, which resulted in the $1,800 donation to COSAR.

“We spent a month in the Kootenays, near the Bugaboos and as far south as Invermere. We didn’t find as many bottles there. Most came from the Okanagan,” Imbeau explained.

He added that the viral nature of last year’s news stories on the couple actually helped them up their numbers this year, as their neighbours in Kelowna started leaving their recyclables out.

“We have about 10 families that donate to us,” Imbeau explained. “It helped us a lot.”

They’d even walk a mile-long circuit in their Kelowna neighbourhood each night, collecting recyclables as they went.

Last year, COSAR used the donation from Imbeau and Kitz to buy a TrailRider, which is used for injured people who can’t walk when rescued, but don’t require a stretcher.

“Because of the generosity of people like Ray and Barb we can continue to improve our ability to help people in need,” said Dan Schlosser, president of COSAR.

“Until the province or feds introduce a stable funding model, we must rely on fundraising to stay fully operational.”

Schlosser didn’t say what this year’s generous donation might go towards, but COSAR will surely find great use for the money.