Portage Water Rescue Team sets raffle to fund drone purchase

The Portage County Water Rescue Team is selling tickets for its final raffle of the year to raise funds for the purchase of a water rescue drone.

In June, the team reported it had raised $10,500 toward its $15,000 goal.

The drone the team is seeking includes:

• A thermal imaging camera to see through the dark and locate the heat signature of a victim.
• A microphone, speaker and camera to be able to talk to and hear a victim as well as determine their condition.
• An LED spotlight that can light up an area the size of half a football field to help provide light for operations after dark.
• A claw that can carry a life jacket to a victim in the water.
• The ability to see an area from above to help locate victims.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by emailing to pcwrt1@gmail.com, messaging the water rescue team on Facebook or contacting a team member.

Prizes include various alcoholic beverages, as well as gift cards and T-shirts. More information can be found on the water rescue team's Facebook page. Ticket purchasers must be at least 21.

The drawing event will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at North Water Brewing, 101 Crain Ave in Kent. The brewery will donate $1 from every beer sold that night to the team.