Motorists who may have had an alcoholic beverage, who are tired, or who are simply not able to drive their vehicle will have another alternative for a safe ride home, as Operation Red Nose kicks off on Friday in Williams Lake.
Dave Dickson, Safer Communities Coordinator for the City of Williams Lake, says the unique program would not be available without the community involvement of volunteers.
“They show up at the Red Nose Headquarters, which is Cariboo GM this year and we wait for phone calls. When somebody calls in and says ‘Hey, I’d like a ride home’, we send a team of 3 people and they go to wherever they are,” says Dickson.
“Two people go with the person who’s called asking for the ride driving their vehicle and the third person follows behind in a vehicle that has been donated by one of the automotive dealers in Williams Lake.”
Dickson says the RCMP, including Inspector Warren Brown, remain very supportive of Operation Red Nose that is in its’ 7th year of operation in the Lake City.
“Well there’s only so many cabs and there are lots of people drinking…If they’ve been drinking and they choose to drive, there could be a crash and that could be devastating especially at Christmas time.”
Operation Red Nose will run each Friday and Saturday evening from November 28th to December 31st.
Any funds raised through the services of Operation Red Nose will directly support the Cariboo Chilcotin Gymnastics, Williams Lake Skating Club, Cariboo Chilcotin Youth Fiddle Society, and Blue Fins.