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Steamboat Springs — Each year, volunteer crews from Routt County Search and Rescue respond to an average of 60 calls for requested service in wildly varying situations, weather and locations.

Many of these searches and rescues might not be possible without donations collected at events such as this weekend's annual Search and Rescue fundraiser, from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill. Tickets, which include dinner from Steamboat Smokehouse and a silent auction, are $20 and will be available at the door.

"The community can say 'thank you,' and we can say 'thank you' to the community," Search and Rescue President Russ Sanford said.

In addition to meeting Search and Rescue's team of volunteers, attendees will get a chance to see the team's equipment up close in a bit of a "show and tell," member Riley Polumbus said.

"This gives us an opportunity to bring the trucks down and show off our gear and what's involved," Polumbus said. "These are the tools we use, and why we use them, and how we use them."

The ropes team also plans to do some demonstrations, and will build a ropes system between Howelsen Hill's ski jump tower and the bottom of the Poma lift, Sanford said.

This weekend's event is the major annual fundraiser for the nonprofit Routt County Search and Rescue, which was formed in 1969.

"We get a good deal of our funding through this fundraiser," Search and Rescue member Randall Hannaway said. "The team greatly appreciates all the support we get."

Admission to Sunday's fundraiser includes one raffle ticket for adults. The winning ticket holder will receive a season pass to the Steamboat Ski Area. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased for $2 each or $10 for six.

"We're happy to have people just make donations, too," Sanford said.

With its change in time, season and location - the fundraiser formerly was held every fall at Bear River Bar and Grill - it's almost a "new event" and is hoped to bring a new energy, Hannaway said.

"We get a ton of support from both the city and the county, and that's huge," Polumbus added. "But this is a chance for the community to give a little back and show their support."

Anyone interested in joining Search and Rescue is invited to attend and learn more - Polumbus herself decided to join after attending the annual fundraiser several years ago.

"Come see what we're all about," she said.