With their red noses shining bright city councillors Garnet Thompson (L) and Jack Miller (R) are named 2016 Operation Red Nose Honourary co-chairs at the Empire Theatre in Belleville on November 10, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
If you drink, don’t drive call Operation Red Nose.
That’s the continued message as the free program kicks off its 13th year of getting residents and their cars home safely during the holiday season.
This year’s campaign will begin on Friday November 25 and then operate the next three Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights leading up to Christmas and then the final evening on Thursday December 31 ultimately New Year’s Eve. The coverage area includes Belleville, Trenton, Prince Edward County and Deseronto. (See website listed below for routes).
While the service is free, riders are encouraged to donate as the funds go to local kids’ charities. In 2015, $41,000 was raised for YMCA Strong Kids and Camp Trillium through the Rotary Sunrise Club.
Thursday night, Belleville City Councillors Jack Miller and Garnet Thompson were named 2016 Red Nose honourary co-chairs – a role they each graciously accepted.
Thompson has been volunteering with the program for seven years and explained that getting people home safely after a night of drinking is very important to him.
Miller, now in his tenure, said he enjoys the many aspects including safety and raising funds for kids.
Campaign Chair Rick Watt beamed that last year 200 volunteers ran more than 1,385 trips for 2,600 people in just 12 nights. He said they are looking for more volunteers.
A team of three volunteers will be dispatched and the motorist will be safely driven home in his or her own vehicle.
For more details or to get involved, call (613) 962-4334 or visit rednosequinte.com.
