Let Rudolph guide your sleigh or sedan if you've overindulged in the rum and eggnog this holiday season.
Operation Red Nose is a by-donation, designated-driver service that offers the convenience of delivering Christmas party revellers home safely in their own vehicle.
The Canada-wide Operation Red Nose program is provided on the North Shore by the local Rotary clubs, whose members, along with 200 volunteers, donate their time over the five weekends in November and December that Red Nose is operational.
The safe-ride-home service is valuable because North Shore residents might be hard-pressed to find a cab late at night during the busy holiday season.
"It's the time of year that folks tend to party more both with their families and their work colleagues," says Jim Godey, co-ordinator of Operation Red Nose North Shore, now in its 15th year.
Patrons of the program are asked to call for a ride about an hour before they want to be picked up, while noting wait times vary, especially later in the evening when the service gets busy.
There is one caveat to the convenience of having your car brought home: Operation Red Nose North Shore volunteers will only cross one bridge.
"We will pick up (from) and deliver to downtown Vancouver and we have an arrangement with the Burnaby Operation Red Nose to transfer folks who want to go further east," explains Godey.
"We do not have the same agreement with Richmond as Vancouver is too big and has no Operation Red Nose."
There is no cost for the service, but donations are accepted. "Our mandate is to provide our service free of charge so that everyone can afford it," says Godey. "We are able to receive donations and our clients are always very generous."
Last Christmas season Operation Red Nose North Shore volunteers provided 274 safe rides, drove a total of 5,173 kilometres and raised more than $20,000 to support youth programs in North and West Vancouver.
Artists for Kids and the North Shore Youth Safehouse are past recipients of Operation Red Nose donations, which also go towards providing non-academic scholarships for local high school students.
Godey said the program is always in need of volunteers who can take on roles such as designated driver or navigator.
There are also opportunities to work the phones and dispatch new calls from Operation Red Nose headquarters at the District of North Vancouver fire training centre on St. Denis Avenue. "Oh yeah, for sure, especially New Year's," says Godey. "If you don't have plans, consider volunteering and giving back to the community."
Volunteers work in teams of three, two of which ride along with the client in their vehicle. Anyone driving a client's car must be at least 21 years old, but others can volunteer in the call centre. Money for gas is provided to the volunteer driver. Food and refreshments are provided for the volunteers, most of whom work into the early hours of the morning.
Operation Red Nose brings home awareness of road safety and the dangers of drinking and driving, says Godey. The service is not exclusive to motorists who have been drinking; it's also available for those who don't feel fit drive because of fatigue or medication.
Operation Red Nose Service will be running on the North Shore from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Dec. 18, 19 and 31. The number to call for a ride home is 604-619-0942, or you can download the app. Visit the website for more information.
