Sign up for Operation Red Nose
This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on November 17th, 2009.
The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:
FUSION has kicked off the 2009 Operation Red Nose campaign for greater Saint John.
This important community initiative strives to prevent drinking and driving during the holiday season by providing a safe ride home service to inebriated motorists. Volunteer drivers ensure that impaired drivers, and their vehicles, get home safely, reducing the number of drunk drivers on the road and making Saint John streets safer.
Operation Red Nose was created in Quebec City in 1984, and the road safety campaign has since grown to include more than 100 communities in Canada. FUSION hosted Operation Red Nose for the first time last year, and it was very widely received; based on the success of the inaugural campaign, plans for 2009 have been underway for several months.
FUSION Saint John is seeking volunteers and businesses wishing to take part in the program.
“More volunteers equal more exposure, and ultimately more drives,” says Operation Red Nose volunteer and FUSION board member Tom Roberts. Approximately 40 volunteers are required each evening the program is running, and they are divided into teams of three – an escort driver, a driver and a navigator.
“Many of our volunteers and sponsors are on board again this year, but we are hoping to broaden the scope of the 2009 campaign,” says Operation Red Nose Greater Saint John co-ordinator Katie Emrich. “We hope to spread the word and encourage Saint Johners to take advantage of the service over the holiday season, but also consider spending a night or two volunteering. It makes the roads safer for everyone.”
Last year, over 100 volunteers travelled more than 7,400 km and made sure 224 Saint Johners – and their cars – got home safely. While the service itself is free of charge, those who use it have the option to make a donation that will be re-invested in the community; thanks to their generous support FUSION donated $3,300 to P.R.O. Kids.
“We had wonderful feedback last year, and many of those volunteers are signed on to participate again this year immediately,” says Emrich. “It’s a great opportunity for groups of friends, teams or employees to give back to the community.” People can volunteer in groups ranging in size from three to 30, and groups, organizations or companies of 12 or more who, in addition to small sponsorship fees, commit to an entire night of service will have the night named for them and will be recognized in radio ads.
The service will be available to residents of Greater Saint John – Grand Bay-Westfield to Quispamsis, and will operate on November 27, 28, December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 26 and 31. Interested volunteers must register two weeks prior to their night on the road to allow time to process the applications and complete the required driver’s license and police checks.
To learn more about the program, please visit http://www.fusionsj.com/operationrednose2009 or call the FUSION Office at (506) 693-6810.
Claire Ryan works with MT&L Public Relations Ltd. and is a member of the FUSION Saint John board. Her column appears on Tuesdays. She can be reached at cryan@mtlpr.ca
