Operation Red Nose will again make Flin Flon’s streets safer this holiday season.
The Rotary Club is spearheading the free service, which provides rides home to residents unfit to go behind the wheel, using their own vehicles.
“It’s just a good community service,” says Ted Hewitt, co-chair along with Bill Morrell.
Red Nose kicked off the season over the weekend and will run every Friday and Saturday night in December as well as New Year’s Eve.
Operating in Flin Flon each year since 1999, Red Nose is well known but not necessarily as well used as organizers would like.
“It’s hard to believe that there are very many people around who aren’t aware of the program, but there are still too many people who aren’t using the program,” says Hewitt.
While Red Nose is a free service, donations are graciously accepted from callers. The program also benefits from corporate sponsors.
Proceeds stay in the Flin Flon area and are earmarked for projects relating to youth or recreation.
Helping to tout the benefits of Red Nose this year is honourary chairperson Colleen Arnold, a familiar face in the community.
“I think it’s a great service that’s offered,” says Arnold. “The safety of everyone at Christmastime is ensured with the rides, and also with all of the monies that they do receive from this, they help out the youth in the community, so it’s just a great cause.”
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Arnold, executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre, says she was “very honoured” to be chosen as honourary chairperson.
Red Nose sees a team of three volunteers respond to each call.
A driver and navigator take the caller home in his or her own vehicle while the third volunteer follows in an escort vehicle.
At the end of each trip, the escort brings the team back to City Hall, where Red Nose is headquartered, or on to the next call.
Teams will go as far into Saskatchewan as Denare Beach and as far into Manitoba as Bakers Narrows.
Calls will be accepted between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. every night except New Year’s Eve, when the hours expand by popular demand.
Groups and businesses assisting the Rotary Club this year include the Border Explorers; United Steelworkers; Hudbay; WCA Group, a group of friends from Bakers Narrows; the Flin Flon Ski Club; Knights of Columbus; and the Kinsmen Club.
More volunteers are always welcome. Anyone interested may contact Ted at 204-687-7450 or Jane Robillard at 204-687-6488.
The number to call for a ride from Red Nose is 204-687-7331.
Rotary Club members launched Operation Red Nose at their meeting last week. Left to right are Doug O’Brien, Lois (Bunny) Burke, Dave Kendall, Colleen Arnold (honourary chairperson), Judy Schmidt, Jane Robillard and Ted Hewitt.
PHOTO BY JONATHON NAYLOR
