Skip to content

Red Nose celebrating decade of safe streets

Driving program in Delta-Richmond in need of volunteers as it readies to serve over another holiday season

Operation Red Nose, which will be providing service locally for the 10th year, is in need of volunteers.

Last year, thanks to the help of 360 volunteers, Operation Red Nose Delta-Richmond gave 650 rides to about 2,000 individuals over the course of nine nights. One statistic that is not specified is the number of lives that were probably saved by keeping the roads safe during the busy holiday season.

With new tough drinking and driving laws in effect in the province, the Operation Red Nose campaign is an excellent safe driving option. Since 2002, Delta Gymnastics Society has been the local host of the award-winning national program that strives to provide road safety while at the same time supports amateur youth sport in the community.

The difference between this service and a regular taxi is that both the driver and their vehicle are taken back to their homes.

"We are very excited that for the first time since we started this program, we will be able to have our dispatch headquarters right here at the new Delta Sport Development Centre," said Operation Red Nose co-ordinator Carlene Lewall. "A double win with Operation Red Nose is that the funds we have raised over the years through sponsorship and donations have been directly used to complete this wonderful new facility."

Anyone over the age of 19 is encouraged to help keep the roads and families safe by supporting this program. There are many positions that need to be filled, including dispatch office, greeters, drivers and navigators. All volunteers are required to complete a criminal record check prior to participating in the program at no cost to the volunteer.

"All volunteers receive an orientation prior to their shift," said Lewall. "Invite your spouse, co-workers or friends to come one night and drive people to and from your community. It is a fun and rewarding experience. Then you can go out and have fun another night and call Operation Red Nose - it goes both ways."

This year Operation Red Nose, in partnership with ICBC, CTV, Richmond RCMP, Delta police and many local sponsors, will service the communities of Delta and Richmond on Nov. 25, 26, Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 31 between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

All sponsorship and donations received to the campaign will be directed to the purchase of equipment for the new Delta Sport Development Centre, home of Delta Gymnastics.

To get involved, call Delta Gymnastics at 604943-0460 or email orn@ operationrednosedelta.com. Volunteer applications are also available online at www.operationrednosedelta. com.