More than 400 volunteers will be out and about in the community starting Friday night for the 17th edition of Operation Red Nose.
Organized once again in Delta/Richmond by the Delta Gymnastics Society, and supported by provincial sponsor ICBC, Operation Red Nose is back to provide a safe ride home to those who don’t feel fit to drive.
The program runs from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 31. Call 604-943-0460 to request a ride.
Operation Red Nose is in its 35th year across Canada and 23rd in B.C. This year the program will be offered in 11 communities in B.C.
Delta Gymnastics executive director Ana Arciniega said Operation Red Nose is a chance for the club to give back to the community for all the supports it receives.
“The community really rallies and supports us, so this is a way to give back,” she said. “We have our volunteers and our staff put in a lot of time to make this all work. We start planning in July. It’s really a year-long thing for us.”
Volunteers are really what makes the program a success.
John Holmes, who owns Hawaiian Beach Tanning Salon in Ladner, is a consummate volunteer and has been there from the beginning.
The awareness of Operation Red Nose started during a trip to Quebec while he was coaching a youth hockey team.
“We got out of a restaurant and I saw this group down the street and it looked like Masons to me, so I strolled down for a chat,” Holmes said. “When I got closer I saw they were all wearing these red noses, so I asked them what was going on and they explained they were part of Operation Red Nose. I thought what a great idea, wish we had something like that at home.”
When Holmes returned he ironically saw signs seeking volunteers for the first year of Operation Red Nose in Delta.
“I said, well John, time to put your money where mouth is and volunteer,” he said.
“On my first night volunteering and another night as well I’m coming down Nordel Way in North Delta and saw a two-car accident and one was split right in half. I thought this is why I’m volunteering. That moment made me want to volunteer more nights.
“Thinking back to the silly things I did when I was young and it made it very easy to volunteer and enjoy the fun times people were having, but also make it safe on the roads for them and others.”
Over the years Holmes said he has met a lot of great people, helped get many home safely and made a lot of memories.
“I don’t know of any way that a person can volunteer and help so many people with very little effort on our part,” he said. “My staff too are tremendous. They make sure that I don’t have to be at work on Fridays and Saturdays so I can volunteer, so they too are helping with this program behind the scenes.”
To volunteer see: https://deltagymnastics.com/operation-red-nose/.
