(Operation Red Nose Saskatchewan/Facebook)

By Angela Brown

Drive safe this holiday season

Operation Red Nose helps keep impaired drivers off roads

Nov 7, 2023 | 2:12 PM

If you’ve had a few too many while attending a holiday party in the coming weeks, why not give your keys to Operation Red Nose.

As part of the initiative, Operation Red Nose volunteer members will drive client home in the volunteers’ vehicle. Then, another volunteer follows in the driver’s vehicle, so both the driver and their vehicle get home safely.

Battlefords Concern for Youth board members have volunteered to look after the annual campaign this year.

Concern for Youth executive director Linda Coe-Kirkham is the lead administrator for the local Operation Red Nose program.

“Our organization Concern for Youth is taking on Operation Red Nose for the first time this year,” she said. “[We offer] a safe ride home for anybody in the Battlefords.”

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The program will launch in the Battlefords for six consecutive Friday and Saturday evenings, from Nov. 24 to New Year’s Eve., from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

People can book their rides home ahead of time by calling 306-445-1020.

Operation Red Nose plans to have more drivers available Dec. 8 and 9 when there are some bigger Christmas parties happening, so people won’t have to wait too long for their ride when they book.

“The bonus with Operation Red Nose is we get their vehicle home safely also,” Coe-Kirkham said.

Currently, drivers will take clients to their homes in North Battleford and Battleford, not the surrounding area.

“If we were to get additional volunteers we may be able to accept [going to the outside area], but at this time we are planning just on the Battlefords,” Coe-Kirkham said.

There are 12 volunteers with Operation Red Nose at this time. But Coe-Kirkham said the group would love to have six or eight more, as added volunteers are always welcome.

“We’re just getting started. The national office launched this week, making announcements of where there were programs running,” she added.

Concern for Youth representatives are taking over the Battlefords program this year because it fits in well with their mandate.

“We were actively looking for a fundraising initiative,” Coe-Kirkham said. “We also wanted to be a little more visible in the community. Certainly, Operation Red Nose is a really good fit for us because one of the primary things we do with all the youth we work with is to set positive examples for them about [making] good decisions, one being – don’t drink and drive. It’s a good fit for us.”

She added with Operation Red Nose there is “always a safe option to get home, and have fun through the holiday season.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow