By Greg Higgins/battlefordsNOW

Operation Red Nose gearing up for another holiday season

Nov 8, 2017 | 4:00 PM

It is getting to that time of year where Christmas parties are beginning and when no one wants to miss out on the fun, it can be tough to find a designated driver. That is where Operation Red Nose comes in which not only provides a much needed service to adults in the community, but all proceeds will help kids get active.

Operation Red Nose has been operating in the Battlefords since 2009 and provides anyone out drinking a safe ride home for them, their mates and their vehicle. The program originated in Quebec and has quickly spread across the country. The North Battlefords Lions Club was the first to introduce it to Saskatchewan.

Lions Club member, Bill Bowman said the program will be up and running Nov. 24 and as in previous years will be working with a youth charity group.

“We work with KidSport here in town and all the funds we get will be donated to the group,” Bowman said. “The group helps kids whose families may not be able to afford it participate in any sport, which is great for the community.”

Bowman said the program started off a little slow but has taken off in recent years. According to the Lions member, the program drove 305 vehicles home safely last year in the Battlefords alone. He added there are usually 25 to 30 volunteers to help drive and local dealerships even provide vehicles.

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“It is nice to have bigger numbers so that the program doesn’t consume the volunteer’s life. With more volunteers we can rotate nights and whole weekends.”

Anyone who drives to a bar or party and has too much to drink can call Operation Red Nose and two volunteers will come in one vehicle. One will then drive the owner of the vehicle and any friends they have home while other volunteer follows in their car so the driving volunteer has a ride back.

Bowman said the service doesn’t stop there though.

“We will even give the babysitter a ride home too. We will go pick the owner of the car up from a party and take them home. If they hired a babysitter then owner can stay in the vehicle and we will drive the sitter home and then bring the vehicle owner back to their house and give them the keys as they walk in the door.”

The service is completely free and operates Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Bowman said any donations are much appreciated and all the money will go directly to KidSport. He added anyone interested in volunteering can visit the Operation Red Nose website.

greg.higgins@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @realgreghiggins