NORTH BATTLEFORD — Operation Red Nose has officially launched in the Battlefords.
Representatives from Operation Red Nose, Battlefords Concern for Youth, SGI and the Battlefords RCMP came together on Nov. 4 to kick-start the campaign that runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 31. The launch was held at Concern for Youth’s offices in North Battleford.
The campaign helps keep impaired drivers off the road to ensure a safe holiday season for everyone.
Operation Red Nose National Development Co-ordinator Marie-Chantal Fortin said this is the 15th year of the campaign in the Battlefords.
"The Battlefords has [given] 2,895 rides so far, provided by 1,759 volunteers," she said.
Across the country, more than 2.5 million rides have been given, provided by 1.7 million volunteers over the last 41 campaigns.
"This is the 42nd campaign across Canada," Fortin said.
She said the campaign is very important to keep the community safe.
"We are still very current and important because the holiday season is a season where there are a lot of people gathering, families and friends, and sometimes office parties," Fortin said. "There is more opportunity for drinking and driving because of the social events that are going on."
She added sometimes people may just be too tired, so they need to call for Operation Red Nose to get them home safely.
The way the program works is when a client calls Operation Red Nose, one volunteer drives the client’s vehicle home with the client and another volunteer, who acts as navigator, inside the vehicle. A third volunteer will drive in a separate vehicle to follow the client’s vehicle home. Then, the escort vehicle driver picks up the two volunteers after the client is dropped off.
Battlefords Concern for Youth is leading the Operation Red Nose campaign this year.
Battlefords Concern for Youth Executive Director Linda Coe-Kirkham said about 20 volunteers so far have made inquiries about taking part in the program in the Battlefords.
While Operation Red Nose’s service is free to use, clients may wish to make a donation. This year funds raised will benefit Battlefords Concern for Youth.
"We’ve had some individuals who choose not to give a donation, and we have others that will give us $200," Coe-Kirkham said. "It’s completely up to them."
"We have targeted $10,000 [in donations] as what we’d love to see this year," she said.
Coe-Kirkham thanked the Operation Red Nose volunteers for their service.
"Once you get started, the volunteers don’t want to leave," she said. "They have a great time."
Coe-Kirkham said the campaign is important in the holiday season.
"We talk about it with the kids and the families we work with," she said. "We are an organization that models positive choice. So getting a safe ride home is something we want kids to learn, that they can share that message with their families."
Coe-Kirkham said Operation Red Nose has given more than 250 rides each year for the past two years.
"This year I’m anticipating significantly more," she said. "I think there has been some growth in awareness, so people know where the funds are going."
Coe-Kirkham added that there have already been five pre-booked Christmas parties and a wedding for the first time that will be using the Operation Red Nose service.
To book a ride with Operation Red Nose, call 306-445-1020 or 306-441-4676.
