|
HOST
ORGANIZATION
La Route du Savoir/
French Literacy Centre of Kingston,
711 Dalton Avenue, Rm. 187,
Kingston, Ontario, K7M 8N6
Phone: 613.544.7447
Fax: 613.544.0431
|
|
|
|
What
is Operation Red Nose?
Operation Red Nose is an annual December campaign against impaired
driving. It provides a free, volunteer-run designated driver service
which caters to all motorists who have been drinking or who
do not feel fit to drive their own vehicle. It provides patrons
a safe, confidential ride in their own vehicle without getting
behind the wheel themselves - and it's free. All volunteer teams
- made up of an escort driver, designated driver and navigator
- as well as all other volunteers undergo a police background
check and are insured for liability by provincial sponsor
Canada's Home Car and Business Insurances.
The service runs weekends from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Thursdays,
Fridays and Saturdays during the month of December and New Year's
Eve, Dec. 31, when there are more opportunities for people to
drink. In addition to being a large-scale designated driving
campaign, Operation Red Nose is a fundraiser for organizations
who work with young people. Each year, more than $1 million is
raised by host organizations who sign contracts stipulating all money
collected through Operation Red Nose is handed over to one or more
recognized non-profit youth organizations. In Kingston, funds raised
benefit local family literacy projects and other educational programs.
Operation Red Nose's philosophy
Certain values underlie the philosophy of Operation Red Nose.
It is non-moralist and is neutral regarding the consumption
of alcohol. Our position is simple: if you drink, don't drive.
Call a cab, call a friend, spend the night or call Operation
Red Nose.
Why call it Operation Red Nose?
Operation Red Nose was the name used by the Canadian Armed Forces
stationed in Valcartier near Quebec City for its annual mid-winter
exercise held in the frigid month of February. Organizers thought
this name was perfectly suited to a volunteer designated driving
service offered during the cold climes of December. Permission
was granted to use the name for our innovative road safety campaign.
The name also refers, of course, to Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer
- also the name of our playful Mascot - who lit Santa Claus'
way one foggy Christmas Eve.
How it all got started
Jean-Marie De Koninck, a university math professor and coach
of Laval University's Rouge et Or swim team, was looking for
a way to help fund athletic scholarships for athletes. In September
1984, he learned of frightening statistics surrounding impaired
driving. He learned more than 50 per cent of all fatal vehicle
accidents were caused by impaired drivers. And most late night
drinkers insist on driving their own vehicles even though their
condition suggested otherwise. Most people, it seems, do not
feel comfortable leaving their vehicle behind. De Koninck decided
to recruit about 25 swimmers from the Laval team and offer late
night drinkers a free ride home in their own vehicle. De Koninck
quickly received the support of the Quebec City Police and local
radio station CHRC who got behind the idea and the first Operation
Red Nose campaign was born in December 1984. In its inaugural
year, the free volunteer driver service escorted 463 motorists
and their vehicles to their destination. The program has grown
tremendously over the past 20 years and now operates in 95 regions
in Canada (25 outside Quebec). The service has also expanded
to parts of Europe.
Registered non-profit corporation
In 1985, following its inaugural success, Operation Red Nose
became a duly incorporated non-profit organization whose mandate
is to foster, assist and support the development of other local
Operation Red Nose campaigns throughout Canada. De Koninck,
the creator of Operation Red Nose, remains president of the
national corporation. Operation Red Nose and its trademark are
the exclusive property of the corporation and only recognized
host organizations may use it under specific conditions. The
corporation does not charge host organizations for staging the
annual program. |
|
