A picture of local voluteers in early 2020. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Holiday cheer

Operation Red Nose returns to Prince Albert streets

Nov 12, 2022 | 10:00 AM

Operation Red Rose, a free service that helps provide people with a safe ride home over the holidays, will make its triumphant return this year to Prince Albert streets.

Due to COVID, the service has not been running for the past two years. Lions club member Randy Braaten, who is also coordinator of the Prince Albert campaign, told paNOW everyone is really excited to get back behind the wheel.

“The ones that I contacted, they want to come back and keep the city streets as safe as we can over the holiday season,” he said.

When asked about the need for volunteers, Braaten explained the local campaign is in a bit of a bind, as in years past, people involved with Sask Polytech’s Aboriginal Policing Program, helped out as part of their required volunteer hours. That program has however been moved to Saskatoon.

“So we don’t know if we are gonna get that many volunteers out of Sask Polytech this year,” he said

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In the past, users of the free service have made voluntary donations. All proceeds have previously gone to support programming at local elementary schools. Over $20,000 was donated between 2017 and 2019.

People interested in helping out can contact the Lions Club or fill out the form on the Operation Red Nose website. Braaten noted a criminal record check is required for all volunteers and the process can take between 7 and 10 days.

“We’re getting good support. Vehicle dealerships are providing shuttle vehicles again, we are getting food from the restaurants, and coffee,” Braaten said.

In 2019, volunteers in Prince Albert helped provide 313 rides, covering a distance of 4,556 km and ensuring 673 people safely returned home.

One key change this year is the actual headquarters in Prince Albert is being moved from underneath the grandstands on the Exhibition grounds to the Coronet Hotel. Due to the Stepping Stones shelter re-opening this year, it was felt this would address any concerns related to traffic.

Operation Red Nose will begin on Nov. 25 and run every Friday and Saturday night up until Christmas weekend. It also will be available on Dec. 31.

“We’re trusting Santa Claus won’t need our help,” Braaten joked.

There’s also an Operation Red Nose app that people can download to their phone that will provide the phone number and hours of operation in order to plan a safe ride home even if it doesn’t involve using the service.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell