Operation Red Nose rides again

For the fourth year in a row getting home safe and sound from holiday parties during the festive season was made easier as Operation Red Nose (ORN) launched their campaign at their Worthington Street headquarters Thursday.

Le Centre Alec du Nipissing has undertaken the campaign and the service is free, however, donations are accepted and those funds are applied to the centre's family literacy program. In 2006 the service raised $5,000 for the literacy program and aim to raise $7,000 this year.

For nine nights in December the program will provide rides home for people who have been drinking, while at the same time ensuring the driver’s car is in the driveway in morning.

ORN Chairperson Claude Deschatelets says they program is completely volunteer driven and based on last year’s demand for 436 rides they are in desperate need of volunteers for this year. He explained that helping out with the project is a great way to meet new people as they work in a team atmosphere. He says at least three volunteers go together to pick up the driver and vehicle then deliver them safely to the destination of their choice, one volunteer will drive the volunteer and the car while one follows behind with the other acting as the navigator. Deschatelets further indicates that if you don’t drive you can still volunteer as they require folks for administrative duties and as navigator you don’t have to drive.

“Statistics show we were almost double (the rides) from the year before,” he says.

“I don’t know if we will double it again this year but we will try.”

Deputy Chief Al Williams of the North Bay Police Service said that city police are fully behind the program and suggested that through the efforts of ONR, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, and the RIDE program over the holiday season, that the city is seeing a reduction in charges for DUIs.

Not only are city police and the Insurance Bureau of Canada behind the program, but again MP Anthony Rota agreed to be the honorary chair. Also singing the praises of the program are Mayor Vic Fedeli and Jason Corbett from MPP Monique Smith’s office.

“It means so much to me as a father of a 2 ½ year old daughter to know the streets are safe,” states Corbett as he pledged to be out to volunteer for one or two nights during the holidays.

Maxine Lebel-Gagne, who volunteered for the first time last year, says getting involved with the program was a great way to meet people and support a great cause at the same time.

"It was a way for me to make an impact on the community in my own way," she said.

"My kids are francophone and I think it is also important to support the Le Centre Alec and literacy."

The program has no funding and so it relies on financial support from the public. They are currently accepting donations at 472-NOSE.

Organisers hope to recruit at least 300 drivers for December.