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Operation Red Nose keeping roads safer over holidays

Dec 29, 2017 | 10:37 AM

The North Battleford Lions Club is once again organizing the local Operation Red Nose campaign to make the holidays safer for celebrants.

About 28 volunteers from the Lions Club and throughout the community signed up to give their time and energy to help with the program and take drunk drivers off the road.

“We’re able to field eight teams for [December] 31 and I think it’s the same for the 30th,” Bill Bowman, organizing committee chair, said.

Bowman was involved with the program since the Lions Club ran it for the past nine years. 

He said he is glad to help, to keep the roads safe over the holidays.

“It is a free service,” he added. “We do receive donations but it’s not mandatory.”

Any donations that come in benefit KidSport Battlefords.

The Operation Red Nose program started running Nov. 24, and wraps up Dec. 31.

Bowman said business has been mainly steady.

“It’s been pretty good. There have been a few less rides this year than others,” he added.

To use the Operation Red Nose service, drivers need to call to request a pick up. 

Volunteers work in teams of three. Two of the volunteers will accompany the client in the volunteers’ vehicle, and the third volunteer will follow in the client’s car, so the client and his or her car get home safely.

The clients must have their own vehicle with them to use the service.

The local Operation Red Nose covers the Battlefords and up to 10 km around the community. 

Bowman said he has heard positive comments from those using the service.

“We get lots of thanks, and quite a few people give us a nice donation,” he said. 

Operation Red Nose will be available from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 31. 

Bowman said on New Year’s Eve volunteer teams will be able to also provide the service for quite a bit later as needed.

“We run past 3 a.m. at times,” he said. “It depends on how many calls we are getting. Normally, New Year’s Eve is an extremely busy evening.” 

To access the local Operation Red Nose service, call 306-480-9876 or 306-480-9879.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow