Operation Red Nose launches ninth campaign in Battlefords

It’s another campaign launch for Operation Red Nose in the Battlefords.

The effort to prevent drinking and driving launched its 2017 campaign at Gold Eagle Casino on Monday. The effort sees teams of volunteers drive holiday revellers home in their own vehicles.

For 2017, the service runs on weekends starting this weekend Nov. 24 and 25. It continues every Friday and Saturday up to and including Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve.

The campaign in the Battlefords is organized by North Battleford Lions Club, with SGI on board again as the major sponsor.

Gold Eagle Casino is also on board providing drivers and cars and their headquarters this year will be out of the former Fabricland building on 101st Street.

Last year, Operation Red Nose drove 305 cars home in the Battlefords with 33 volunteers taking part.

They expect similar numbers of volunteers this year. Volunteers do require criminal record checks; the City of North Battleford is waiving the fees for that.

This is the ninth year that the Battlefords are part of Operation Red Nose and it is the 34th national campaign for Operation Red Nose, involving 101 communities across the country.

Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert are also back on board; Yorkton will launch the service for the first time this year.

Mayor Ryan Bater of North Battleford and Mayor Ames Leslie of Battleford were both on hand for the Battlefords launch and they once again had positive things to say about the whole effort.

“I remember when this was launched nine years ago," said Mayor Bater. “I’m really happy to see it continuing after all these years.”

“It helps everybody enjoy the Christmas season a lot more, and the New Year’s,” said Leslie, pointing to the number of functions going on in the community during that time.

The service is free, but donations are accepted and the money raised goes to local youth amateur sports.

This year, KidSport is again the local organization receiving all the proceeds from this year’s campaign. They are a children’s charity, helping families who face financial obstacles to be able to allow their kids to participate in organized sports.

David Schell, co-chair of Battlefords KidSport, said the organization is growing in the community. In 2016, there were 944 kids participating in sports last year because of KidSport, and they gave out $80,322. Already in 2017, the organization has given out over $64,000.

The top five sports funded by KidSport are soccer, hockey, swimming, gymnastics and baseball.  

Other local charities have also benefited over the past nine years. In total, Operation Red Nose has donated $63,800 back to youth agencies in the Battlefords throughout its run.