Randy Braaten and Tim Haight say that Operation Red Nose will start on Dec. 1. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Red Nose

P.A. Lions get ready to run Operation Red Nose

Nov 8, 2023 | 5:20 PM

Christmas is the season of giving, and the P.A. Lions Club are giving their time to help get holiday partiers home safely.

Randy Braaten and Tim Haight are both with the Lions Club and helping with Operation Red Nose, which they said is looking for volunteer drivers.

“If you’re curious about it, please step up and volunteer. There’s a great deal of satisfaction in doing something for someone and getting that all the next day, saying, thank you very much.” said Haight.

As required by law, volunteers must have a criminal record check that clears them and can be obtained for free through the Prince Albert Police or local RCMP detachment for people from out of town.

The idea is to make sure people don’t drink and drive while attending social functions over Christmas, so they aim to have rides available for Friday and Saturday nights.

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“Most of the volunteers are very committed to the program. We have some that come out every year and every night of the program they’re here. They’re really committed,” Braaten explained.

Still, the more drivers the better, with calls for rides being done on a first come, first served basis.

Operation Red Nose started in Quebec 40 years ago, with the local program getting into gear a dozen years ago, with one goal to get people home safely. In 2022, volunteers logged 614 hours.

“It helps keep the city streets safe over weekends. That’s where Operation Red Nose started. The person who started it had a family member killed in an accident at the holidays and he said, there’s got to be a better way to try and keep our roads safe,” Braaten said.

While there is no charge for people using the service, donations are welcome and passed on to local elementary schools.

“It’s a free program, but if people give us donations, the donations our clients give us have to go back to youth programming according to the parameters of the Operation Red Nose program,” said Braaten.

The schools are free to use their donation in whatever way they feel will do the most good. Last year, 10 local schools each received $400.

The money was used for things like library books, a laptop program, school lunches and more.

Volunteers do not use their own vehicles as local dealerships donate the use of some of theirs and a second volunteer drives the client’s vehicle home.

There are two ways to contact Operation Red Nose: one is to call the phone number but they also have an app available.

Volunteers can call 306-763-6673 and revellers looking for a pickup can call 306-763-NOSE (6673) or use the app.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com