You can help to pick group getting $6K
This column previously appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on January 12th, 2010.
The article was written by FUSION Saint John’s Claire Ryan:
For the second year in a row, FUSION Saint John hosted Operation Red Nose, the national volunteer campaign that aims to reduce incidences of drunk driving by providing a safe ride home for drivers and their vehicles during the holiday season.
Since it was FUSION’s second year running the program, “there was already a great awareness of the campaign and how it works, so we were able to focus more of our efforts on getting people involved, either as volunteers or users of the service,” says Katie Emrich, Operation Red Nose co-ordinator.
“We had more volunteers this year, which enabled us to provide more rides on more nights, ultimately generating more donations, which will benefit a charity here in the city.”
The campaign ran for 10 nights, shuttling drivers and their vehicles across Greater Saint John, from Quispamsis to Grand Bay-Westfield, and all points in between.
More than 100 volunteers travelled 8,762 kilometres, giving 294 rides to holiday party-goers and raising $6,215, which will be donated to a local youth charity.
“We were incredibly fortunate to have so many local sponsors on board this year,” Emrich said “Whether they were donating food, administrative support or money, they played a vital role in Operation Red Nose’s success.”
Local sponsors included 97.3 the Wave, UNBSJ, the Telegraph-Journal, Sandalwood Management, Wilsons Gas Stop, Discount Car and Truck Rentals, the Window Shop, the Saint John Police Force, Investors Group, the Copper Penny, Michael Smith and Bruce Penny – Fundy Insurance, Played Out Fun Centre, Bell Aliant, Teed Saunders Doyle, the Town of Quispamsis, the City of Saint John, McDonald’s, CHQC, the Rothesay Regional Police Force, Burger King, Sears, Van Houtte, Culligan, the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield, Office Outfitters, the Saint John Harbour Bridge Authority, Urban Deli and Tim Hortons in McAllister Place. The campaign is sponsored nationally by the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
“Though it is just one of the campaigns we support in terms of road safety, it is a very important campaign that increases public awareness about making responsible choices while enjoying the holiday season,” said Amanda Dean, manager of government relations for IBC Atlantic.
Once again this year, FUSION is asking Saint Johners to help choose a deserving local youth charity to receive the donations, which will be determined through an online vote. The candidates are: Saint John Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters Saint John, the Joshua Group, the Teen Resource Centre or the Chicken Noodle Soup Club.
The winner will be announced and awarded a cheque presented at a volunteer appreciation event on Jan. 29.
“So many people are involved in Operation Red Nose in one way or another, and we want to make sure everyone had the opportunity to help decide which of these great charities will be awarded this money,” Emrich said of the decision to select the winning charity through a public vote, which will remain open until Jan. 27.
For more information on Operation Red Nose, and to cast your vote, please visit us online at www.fusionsj.com.
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@mtpr.ca.
Click here for more information and to cast your vote!
Update: YM-YWCA Strong Kids is also included in the vote.
