Roads will be safer this holiday season thanks to the Rotary Club of Flin Flon.
The service organization launches the 2015 edition of Operation Red Nose tonight.
“I think it’s well known that it’s out there,” says Ted Hewitt, chairman of Red Nose, now in its 17th year in Flin Flon. “The majority of people [who use the service] have used it before.”
Red Nose is a free holiday service that drives residents home in their own vehicles when they are unfit to go behind the wheel.
Headquartered at Flin Flon City Hall, Red Nose runs tonight, Friday, and tomorrow, Saturday.
Red Nose will run every Friday and Saturday in December, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, before wrapping up on New Year’s Eve, expected to be its busiest night.
Hours are from 9 pm to 2 am (or 3 am, if calls keep coming in), with hours extended until calls stop on New Year’s Eve (often after 4 am).
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.
As per usual, a variety of businesses and organizations are supplying volunteers for each night prior to New Year’s Eve. This weekend it’s the Border Explorers Snowmobile Club followed by the Kinsmen Club.
Stepping up to help in December are Woodcutters Anonymous; a combination of Creighton Community School, École McIsaac School and Denare Beach village council; Women’s Resource Centre; Flin Flon Ski Club; Steelworkers and Hudbay.
New Year’s Eve will be covered by a hodgepodge of volunteers.
While Red Nose is free to use, callers are welcome to make a donation to the Rotary Club, which puts all funds toward youth recreational projects. The service typically raises between $13,000 and $14,000 each year.
Volunteers are still needed for certain nights leading up to Dec. 31 and for New Year’s Eve itself.
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.
For more information on Red Nose or volunteering, contact Ted at 204-687-7450. For a ride from Red Nose, call 204-687-7331 during operating hours.
