When Edmonton’s Operation Red Nose was nearly abandoned in August, the Spirit Keeper Youth Society stepped up to the plate and rescued the program.
However, Sturgeon County’s Ferd Caron, an Operation Red Nose volunteer driver for 13 seasons, says the free service driving alcohol-impaired individuals home is less busy than usual, both in terms of volunteers and pickup parties.
Generally a mild-mannered businessman, Caron has little tolerance for people driving over the limit and he is concerned the slow-down translates into more impaired drivers at the wheel this holiday season.
He adds, “The weather has been nasty and it’s tough to get people out when it’s minus 25 C.”
The transition occurred after the Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona, a host organization for the last six years, found it too difficult to arrange volunteer driving teams.
The Spirit Keeper Youth Society, an organization devoted to slowing down recruitment of Aboriginal youth into gangs, offered to host the program.
“We only received final approval at the end of October. It was quite a scramble to get everything together,” explains Lacey Untereiner, the Spirit Keeper marketing manager.
In addition to a cold snap and having only six weeks to get the program under way as opposed to the Rotary Club’s usual six-month co-ordination, Caron speculates that many people who heard of the premature Red Nose demise in August continue to believe it is no longer operating.
Rides are provided on Dec. 19, 26, 27 and 31. “Our busiest nights are Friday and Saturday,” says Untereiner. “Obviously New Year’s Eve has the biggest demand. We triple all our rides that night and we are in need of volunteers.”
The organization hopes to raise anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 that will go towards Spirit Keeper’s three safe houses, addictions counselling, education and bursary programs.
“Obviously the more rides we do, the more money we make. But our main concern is saving lives rather than making money. The community has been really generous to us and we want to give back. And we would like to provide a positive role model to youth with a message ‘don’t drink and drive.”
Operation Red Nose offers a designated-driver service if people feel they are too impaired to drive. There is no charge, however donations are welcome. Organizers stress they are not competing with taxi companies. The service is only available to people who have brought their own vehicles.
When a call comes in, a team of three people is dispatched. Teams consist of a volunteer driver and navigator driving the client home in his/her vehicle. An escort member follows behind to pick up the driver and navigator at the drop-off point.
The service is provided in Edmonton and to outlying areas as far as St. Albert, Stony Plain, Leduc and Sherwood Park. To book a ride, call dispatch at 780-757-SAFE (7233).
Volunteer drivers and navigators need to be 18 years of age with a valid driver’s licence. They can download an application form at www.spiritkeeper.ca and must obtain a criminal record check from the RCMP. It is free and takes two business days to process.
On the night people wish to volunteer, they can bring the application and criminal record check to dispatch located at Boilermakers Union Hall, 15220 – 114 Ave. Volunteers undergo 30 minutes of training and the escort vehicle receives a gas reimbursement. For more information call 780-428-9299.
