Operation Red Nose Needs You

Friday, November 05, 2010 03:54 AM

Prince George, B.C. – It is that time of the year again, of office parties and extra socializing as we head towards Christmas. It’s also the time of year when Operation Red Nose is back in full swing.

Operation Red Nose will officially launch its 2010 campaign tonight at a Prince George Cougars game.

Prince George RCMP Superintendent Brenda Butterworth-Carr, along with Operation Red Nose chair Kelly Zammit and Nechako Rotary Club president Bob Guy will drop the puck at 7 p.m. at the CN Centre when the Cougars host the Edmonton Oil Kings in WHL action.

Operation Red Nose volunteers will also be on hand on the concourse during the game to spread the word to Cougars fans about the unique designated driving service.

"Our goal is to give 1,000 rides over the holiday season. So far, we have about 100 volunteers who have stepped up to help us this year," said Andrea Johnson, Operation Red Nose spokesperson. "But we need about 250 more to ensure everyone gets a safe ride home."

Criminal record check forms will also be available for people to fill out. The forms, along with being at least 19 years old and have a valid driver's license, are a must in order to volunteer for Operation Red Nose.

During the 2009 Operation Red Nose season, a record 796 rides were given over nine nights, an increase of 290 rides over the 2008 season. The free, seasonal service, organized by the Rotary Club of Prince George - Nechako, in partnership with the RCMP and ICBC, allows party-goers to not only get themselves home safely, but their vehicles too.

Entering its 13th season, Operation Red Nose expects to be even busier this year since new and tougher drinking and driving laws came into effect in September across the province.

"With the new provincial regulations, we hope party-goers take advantage of our unique service," said Johnson. "But in order to fulfill the demand, we need volunteers to step up."

Volunteers can drive, navigate and operate phones out of Operation Red Nose headquarters. On average, about 15 teams of three will be on call each night of service, working from 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. This year, Operation Red Nose will be in service Nov. 26 and 27, Dec. 3 and 4, Dec. 10 and 11, Dec. 17 and 18 and New Year's Eve.

"We're encouraging businesses, community and school groups and sports teams to get together and volunteer for one night," said Johnson. "It's a great way to have some fun and give back to the community."

Jordy's Lounge is one such group. Fifteen of their employees have stepped up and are volunteering Dec. 10.

Operation Red Nose will also be at the Prince George Spruce Kings game Nov. 12 at the Coliseum when the Spruce Kings take on the Trail Smoke Eaters.

Criminal record check forms are available at the Community Policing Office on Brunswick Street. If you need more information about volunteering, call volunteer co-ordinator Heather Spicer, 250-963-0279 or 250-613-6947.

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Posted on Friday, November 05, 2010 03:54 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Harbinger on November 5 2010 10:42 AM

If you drive yer vehicle for "Red Nose" on a volunteer basis, and some drunk or intoxicated individual barfs, upchucks, vomits, or as they said during Expo 86, has a "protein spill" will volunteers at head office of Red Nose gonna rush out with pails and rags and vacuums to correct said "protein spill?" Hope they eventually never need volunteer drivers to transport overdosed drug addicts to the emergency ward. Time will tell.

Posted by: Harbinger on November 5 2010 12:06 PM

I don't feel like I have to "volunteer" to cater to people who have no real control over their "emotional dependencies". Nice and noble in some ones eyes to help them. But not mine. I hope it is a success without me.

Posted by: dudeinpg on November 5 2010 2:21 PM

I didn't know that when I have a night out with co-workers or whoever, that I become an "overdosed drug addict with emotional dependencies". I also didn't know that everyone else in a pub or at a Christmas party are "overdosed drug addicts with emotional dependencies. Thankyou for the info, to think,I was actually going to volunteer. But based on this enlightened point of view, I won't.
Oh, by the way, the people you are helping are the innocent bystanders that may have otherwise been injured or killed by an impaired driver. AND, the people you are driving home, are never in your own car. The volunteer drives the "emotional dependent drug addict's" vehicle.
Happy Holidays!

Posted by: Anastasia on November 5 2010 2:49 PM

well I am volunteering again for the 5 yr in a row.

Have to say most of the people are way way funny!! but like always there is one in the crowd, hey Harbinger!! LOL

Posted by: metalman on November 5 2010 2:50 PM

Not to be the devil's advocate here, but is the average person's vehicle properly insured to shuttle passengers?
ICBC have a lot of dirty tricks up their sleeves, I'd hate to see a good samaritan have difficulty with a claim should th eworst happen.
metalman.

Posted by: Thunder on November 5 2010 2:53 PM

Ohhh good point metalman - I would like more information on this as well!

Posted by: Thunder on November 5 2010 3:03 PM

I kind of get what Harbinger is saying, although I definitely don't agree with generalizing everyone with the "overdosed drug addict" description.
When I go out, I make sure I don't drink and drive. If this means I dont' drink so that I can drive, then so be it. If this means I make sure I have money for a cab, so be it and I'm prepared to wait if necessary. If you are adult enough to go out and consume, you should be adult enough to get yourself home safely without having to rely on volunteers.
Having said that, I believe the program is valuable and is an excellent idea for those who need it. I, for one, have no tolerance for drunken people so can't stomach the job, but thankfully there are people who can and do.
Thank you to the volunteers who keep our streets safe from those who might otherwise get into a car while intoxicated and take a chance.

Posted by: dudeinpg on November 5 2010 3:38 PM

Metalman, the volunteer does not shuttle people around in his or her own vehicle. The volunteer drives the intoxicated person's vehicle who's insurance would be null and void if they got behind the wheel in that condition anyway. ICBC is all over this. (in a good way)

Posted by: doogood on November 5 2010 3:49 PM

Now that operation Red Nose is in place for the holiday season again i can't wait to let my emotions loose and protein spill all over the place. Without operation Red nose i never get to do that.

Happy Holidays :)

Posted by: dudeinpg on November 5 2010 3:50 PM

This is also a very successful way to raise money through donations for the youth and seniors in PG. All money raised goes to them. Many people go out with thier vehicle and plan in advance to use this service. They get their car home, They get home, money gets donated, (a lot of money), no one gets hurt or killed. There's no negative to this that I can see but someone will always try to find it.

Posted by: dudeinpg on November 5 2010 3:55 PM

Posted by: Thunder on November 5 2010 4:02 PM

Hey dudeinpg, you are absolutely right. The donations do benefit the different groups in PG and I never took that into consideration. Definitely no negative there.

I think the insurance question was, what if someone else was driving YOUR vehicle, are you properly insured for that? Regardless of whether or not the owner is drunk or sober, will the insurance on your vehicle be valid should something go wrong? Why do they ask who the principal driver is going to be when you get your insurance?

Posted by: metalman on November 5 2010 4:19 PM

Dude thanks for clarifying that. Thunder, I actually did mean what I wrote, not knowing that Op. Red Nose used the drinkers autos, but thanks. Your point on principal operator designation, is a good one. Hopefully ICBC really is on board with programs such as this.
It was not my intent to find something negative to say rather it is to make sure all of us know the "rules of the road" pun intended. I am glad for a group of dedicated volunteers that not only help to keep drunks off the roads, but raise funds for a good cause as well.
metalman.

Posted by: dudeinpg on November 5 2010 4:25 PM

I'm not 100% sure but I think it has to do with driving history. If you have full discount and are the principle driver the rate is lower, if son or daughter who hasn't driven for very long is principal driver regardless of ownership the rate would be higher. This raises another question though. If the volunteer driving you home smacks your car up, do you lose your safe driving discount?

Posted by: dudeinpg on November 5 2010 6:03 PM

Did my last post make sense? I've been drinking.