Julie Masza, OPI for Operation RED NOSE and Capt. Eugene Sauve, president of the Shilo Community Council, are encouraging volunteers and drivers to team up for some seasonal fun and to keep neighbours safe with the designated driver program during the 2023 holiday season.  Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News

A call-out is issued for drivers and volunteers for Operation RED NOSE, a designated driver holiday safety initiative hosted by the Shilo Community Council (SCC).

While handling a sleigh is not mandatory, red noses are optional, but they are really fun to wear.

Julia Mazsa, Office of Primary Interest (OPI), has been coordinating the national volunteer program in Shilo for seven years and has been involved for more than 10 years.

She says the designated driver project is a great way to become involved in the community to keep co-workers and neighbours safe after a night out.

“Without volunteers, Operation RED NOSE will not run. Without Operation RED NOSE, there are fewer options for our community to get home safe.”

The designated driver volunteer-based structure started in Montreal and has spread to many communities across Canada.

“We get the clients and their vehicles home safely after a night out,” Mazsa explained.

The program runs on set weekend dates from November 24 to December 31, and also on Soldier Appreciation nights, relying on volunteer spirit to be an operational success. Teams of drivers and navigators pick up a client upon request from Brandon to return them and their vehicle to the Base. The service is also used for point-to-point pick-up and drop-off around the Base.

Captain Eugene Sauve, president of the SCC, said the mission is to encourage responsible behaviour in any impaired situation using unbiased actions.

Teams of three are made up of an escort driver, a designated driver and a navigator.

After a client has contacted the Operation RED NOSE phone number, the escort driver transports the designated driver and navigator to pick up the client. The designated driver will drive the client’s vehicle with the client back to their home safely, the OPI said.

“So, on any given evening, they will call up, our dispatcher will take their name, where they are at and where they are going, the type of vehicle they have and how many passengers. As long as we have enough volunteers, we send out a team.”

The team navigator fills out the appropriate paperwork for each trip and provides directions.

The designated driver service is no cost to the needing the service, which ensures safety. Donations are greatfully accepted and are contributed back to community youth programs.

“The benefit of this program is not only safe rides home but the funds raised for our youth community sports,” Masza said.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for local organizations and businesses to assist with the offset of the volunteer’s gasoline costs and be a fundamental part of the worthy cause.

The program is run on a call-as-needed basis and is not set up for pre-bookings, as the driver availability each evening is based on the number of volunteers.

“Our shifts go from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. in the morning. However, if we get a call at 1:55, and it’s for a ride from Brandon, they could be out later,” Mazsa said.

Pre-pandemic, some holiday seasons generated the need for more than 500 rides. However, with a drinking culture shift and social distancing health rules in place, numbers dropped significantly over the past couple of years.

Capt. Sauve pointed out that the designated driver program is not just used for drinking. Edibles and the use of cannabis have increased since COVID-19 and the use of substances may also class a driver as being under the influence or intoxicated.

Volunteers for the program do need to have a basic criminal background check completed and an insured vehicle. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and navigators at least 18. While the red nose and antlers are optional, safety vests are supplied.

Mazsa said it’s always more fun volunteering with friends or family and is encouraging work departments and organizations to volunteer as a team. The fun can be heightened, she said, by laying down challenges for the funniest team name or most seasonally dressed team.

“For me, the fulfillment is making sure that … people aren’t putting themselves or anybody else in harm’s way. Also so they don’t even feel like they need to put themselves in that situation. It’s not just about that they might crash their car, but also the fact that if they get pulled over, regardless of how short the drive is, it impacts their life for a long time between having a record for an arrest to losing points on their licence, so I’m just happy to help people stay safe.”

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Capt. Eugene Sauve (CFB Shilo G8) at eugene.sauve@forces.gc.ca or Julie at shilorednose19@hotmail.com.