Cold Lake Victim Services, with support from the RCMP, have kicked off the sixth annual Operation Red Nose program.
In their first two weekends (Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 2-3) the local program has already been more successful than in past years.
“The first four nights of operation have been crazy. We're heading to break a lot of records here in a lot of different areas,” said Dave Zimmerman Program Manager for Cold Lake Victim Services and the coordinator for Cold lake Operation Red Nose.
He continued, “In four nights we were already at 94 rides and had collected just under $3,000 in donations. Our volunteers have traveled over 1,600-kilometres to provide safe rides for people and their vehicles.”
Operation Red Nose is a free service that gives people a ride home every Friday and Saturday until New Year's Eve from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m.
“We offer a very unique service to the community. Not only do we pick people up from there party or the bar or a lounge, we also will drive their vehicle home too,” explained Zimmerman.
Three people are dispatched to the location. One drives your car with you in it, another is a navigator, while the third member follows in a separate vehicle.
“Let's face it, if you call a taxi cab and you leave your vehicle at the golf course in Grand Centre, then the next morning you're going to have to make arrangements with your buddies to get your vehicle back,” added Zimmerman.
Service is provided to a number of locations both in and outside city limits, including Riverhurst Hall, Grand Centre Golf Club, or the casino. However, you must be going back into Cold Lake.
The program isn't just for people who are drinking, but also for those who are fatigued, or just aren't feeling well and need a ride home.
“It's a really good safe drive program to get people and there vehicle home,” noted Zimmerman.
The money raised through donations to drivers goes towards supports for children who are victims of crime or tragedy. In some cases they have helped fund trips to Edmonton for specialized appointments including gas cards.
Operation Red Nose is a completely volunteer run, without them this service wouldn't exist.
“Our volunteers are well appreciated and our community is behind us, our local restaurants sponsor food for the night to feed the volunteers. There is coffee and donuts and muffins provided by Tim Hortons and then we have a volunteer dinner of appreciation in January for all our people. Without our volunteers the program doesn't run.”
The main focus of the program is to lower the number of people who are driving impaired. It's a stat that has been going down in recent years, and Zimmerman feels it is thanks to Operation Red Nose.
“In 2014, there were 30 incidents of impaired driving in the City of Cold Lake. Last year, and I do credit the campaign and people making smart choices for themselves, there was only 12 incidents of impaired driving. This year, I am going to shoot for zero. I believe it's a service that makes a difference.”
Anyone interested in applying to volunteer with Operation Red Nose Cold Lake can visit their website at operationrednosecoldlake.com or go into to the Cold Lake RCMP Detachment to fill out a form. All applications hoping to volunteer must pass a police check.