There are a lot of ways people can volunteer with the community.
Helping at the food bank and thrift store are just a couple of ways people band together to lend a hand.
One that doesn’t pop up as often when you throw around the term community service is our valiant search and rescue crew.
Just like our firefighters, these are people called upon when times are at their toughest. There’s an emergency, emotions are high and as many resources have to be spread as thinly as possible.
Searchers are told to pack for 12-hour shifts and bring extra clothes as the ones they have often get soaked.
They are forced to tackle some very tough terrain in whatever the heavens can throw at them and with every step they never know if they’ll go home with thanks or as the bearers of the worst news possible.
And, according to our local head hunter, Bill Drysdale, it’s all to help a neighbour, whether they live next door or in Duncan.
Their service, even if it is bringing the bad news, provides some comfort to the grief-stricken through closure.
Ladysmith searchers were called to help search the brush around Duncan last week as the rest of Canada held their breath for any news in the disappearance of Tyeshia Jones, 18.
Unfortunately in the end, the news was not good and a body believed to be Jones was found in a wooded area near Duncan.
Even though we now have to try and makes sense of this senseless act, it is important to take the time and say thank you to the men and women who took time out of their own schedules to help in the direst of straits.