The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Rudolph won't have the only red nose in the Flin Flon area this holiday season. The Rotary Club has announced it will again organize Operation Red Nose, a complimentary service that drives residents home in their own vehicles when they feel unfit to go behind the wheel. "I believe it's an excellent service because it provides an opportunity for people to go out and enjoy themselves yet get home with their vehicles safe and sound," said Lois (Bunny) Burke, who is chairing the program along with Ted Hewitt. Headquartered at the boardroom at Flin Flon City Hall, Red Nose will operate from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. every Friday and Saturday evening in December, as well as New Year's Eve. Volunteers will also be out on Thursday, Dec. 4. People who have been drinking or otherwise feel unfit to drive are encouraged to call Red Nose, which will send a team to drive the caller home in his or her own car. This will be the fifth consecutive year that the Rotarians have brought the service to Flin Flon. "I think it's still becoming known in the community," commented Burke. "We're trying more and more to promote it. We've been leaving cards with our number on it in various businesses, and of course word of mouth has helped." While Red Nose is complimentary, organizers gladly accept donations, which are earmarked for youth recreational initiatives. Some of this year's donations, for instance, will go toward upgrading Rotary Park. Other initiatives supported by Red Nose include playground development at Parkdale School and new helmets for the sports program at Creighton Community School. People who use the service have been generous, donating an average of $8,000 each year. Burke, who has been involved with the local Red Nose program since its inception, stressed that the service is not in competition with the taxi companies. "We won't take an individual unless he or she has a vehicle that needs to go home," she noted. As in previous years, a number of volunteers have already stepped forward to lend a hand either by driving, helping drivers with directions or manning the phone lines. A handful of organizations have agreed to look over the program for one night each, including the Knights of Columbus and the Elks, Lions and Kinsmen clubs. The volunteers enjoy snacks and a number of activities in between responding to calls. "We have a little fun at the same time," smiled Burke. Volunteers are still needed. Anyone interested may stop by Flin Flon Insurance or Standard Insurance Brokers to pick up an application form. Red Nose will accept calls from Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach, and as far as Bakers Narrows. Operation Red Nose is a national program operated in hundreds of communities across Canada. A variety of non-profit groups spearhead the program in each community.
