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.
The Rotary Club of Flin Flon will be helping to make roads safer this holiday season. The service club yesterday officially launched the 2004 edition of Operation Red Nose, a complimentary program that drives residents home in their own vehicles when they are unfit to go behind the wheel. "We as a Rotary Club think it's very important," said coordinator Lois (Bunny) Burke. "People can still go out and enjoy themselves, and their vehicles ? and they themselves ? can get home safe and sound." Named honourary chairman of Red Nose this year was Andy Burbidge, co-owner of Flin Flin Insurance and a strong backer of the program. "It's an honour to be asked," he said. "It's an important part of the community activities over this holiday season, and it keeps people safe." Headquartered at Flin Flon City Hall, Red Nose begins operating tonight. The service will run every Friday and Saturday through December (minus Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. It will also operate on Thursday, Dec. 9 and Thursday, Dec. 16. The hours extend to 4 a.m. on New Year's Eve. A team of three volunteers respond to each call: a driver, a passenger and a person to drive the pair to the caller's location. Upon arrival, the driver and passenger use the caller's own vehicle to take him or her home. Though the service is free, callers are encouraged to make a donation to the Rotary Club, which will use the funds for youth-oriented projects. Burke said participating in Red Nose is a rewarding experience and that volunteers have a lot of fun in between calls at City Hall. See 'Games' P.# Con't from P.# "We have some food, some music, some movies, a lot of board games, and just a lot of visiting," she said. Local organizations have already agreed to provide volunteers for all but one of the nights Red Nose operates. Lending a hand will be volunteers from the Flin Flon Lions Club, Kinsmen Club, Elks Club Sea Cadets, Tae Kwan Do Club, Mennonite Brethren Church and Creighton Community School. People not associated with those groups will also help out. Anyone wishing to volunteer may phone Bunny at 687-6967 for more information. The number for Operation Red Nose is 687-7331. (It's in the phonebook). Operation Red Nose is a national program operated in dozens of communities across Canada. A variety of non-profit groups spearhead the service in each community.
