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On the road for Operation Red Nose

Reporter Janis Cleugh joined Douglas College criminology undergrad Haley Dore and Port Moody businessman Joseph Choi last Friday for a night out escorting people home safely from their holiday parties.
ALLISON
Allison and Ashley of Operation Red Nose.

Fog.

That was tonight’s challenge.

Last year it was snow, which isn’t fun when you’re driving the hills in the Tri-Cities, New Westminster and Burnaby to chauffeur people home from their holiday parties.

But, given the cause, it was worth heading out in the blanket cover.

At the ICBC claims centre — the headquarters for Operation Red Nose Tri-Cities, Burnaby and New Westminster — Allison and Ashley waited at the registration desk for volunteers to check in at 9 p.m.

About two dozen of us signed up for the six-hour shift, all with different purposes: giving back to the community, social interaction and/or business networking.

As an escort driver — that is, the shuttle vehicle operator following the driver and navigator — I had a unique viewpoint. From behind my wheel, I could watch my assigned driver (Joseph) and navigator (Haley) escort the clients into their own cars then follow them to their chosen destination.

In between the pick-ups, we chatted about the KidSport donations the clients had given for their ride, shared personal stories and commented on the Christmas light displays. It was a great way to spend an evening and meet new people.

Here’s how our night unfolded:

9 p.m.: After loading up for our midnight meals — courtesy of The Boathouse in Port Moody and Starbucks — and saying hello to New West Record reporter Cayley Dobie (who was documenting the volunteer efforts with Royal City Mayor Jonathan Cote), Joseph, Haley and I make quick introductions before heading out to our first call. We shot over to Browns in New Westminster, where we greeted a woman in a black Hyundai Elantra who took us deep into an Edmonds neighbourhood and offered $40 in exchange. Not a bad start, we think.

ORN

10 p.m.: As we left the ICBC claims centre early — before ORN organizer (and Coquitlam city councillor) Chris Wilson gave his pep talk —we return to find out our designated territory. As Team 1, we are assigned Area 23/24, the Maillardville pubs and restaurants. With our red ORN vests on, we make our presence known at the Town Hall Public House and leave business cards (with the ORN phone number) with the waitress. In the car, there’s lots of chatter as Haley, Joseph and I get to know each other: Haley is a Douglas College criminology undergrad who has volunteered before with ORN while Joseph moved to Port Moody six years ago and is starting to support Tri-City charities. He talks about his franchise, Shelf Genie, and how it builds adaptable units around B.C. Joseph is especially tired as he was in Texas earlier in the week.

10:30 p.m.: It’s back to Burnaby for another pick-up — this time, a couple at the Villa Casino that needs to get to Abbotsford. As that territory is covered by another ORN crew, we arrange a drop off — in their black Jetta — at the McDonald’s at the 264th Street exit in Aldergrove. The Port Mann bridge is clogged with fog; however, by the time we make it out to the Fraser Valley, it’s lifted. The couple donates $50 and makes another contribution to the Abbotsford-Mission ORN team, which is sponsored by Magnuson Ford and run by Pacific Sport Fraser Valley.

fog

11:30 p.m.: We return to the ICBC claims centre to fuel up on coffee and receive our next call. We have two vehicles waiting at The Boathouse in Port Moody. Haley drives the lead car, a white Kia Optima, while Joseph takes the Mazda passenger. On the drive to Port Coquitlam — and to stay awake — I crank the tunes; however, the Kia owner wants to grab a bite. Haley enters the drive-through and orders him a Combo #9. After he’s safely returned home, we boot out to the Haney bypass to deliver the Mazda owner home. We are rewarded with a total donation of $90.

1:15 a.m.: While on the Mary Hill bypass, we get a text to meet a mom’s fundraising group at Mickey’s Pub. They also have two vehicles and need a ride to three residences in Port Moody and on Westwood Plateau. They greet us with hugs and, in the mini-van, one passenger falls asleep. No matter, they are grateful for our service and offer us a total $90.

2:30 a.m.: By now, we are exhausted and drive back to the ICBC claims centre with $270 from our seven rides. There, other teams are also calculating their results with Chris Wilson. Later that day, I get a friendly message from Joseph; Haley also connects via social media. Despite being labour-intensive, we agree to volunteer again to help patrons get home safely during the Christmas season and to support kids becoming more active.

Haley

• Can you volunteer on New Year’s Eve? Operation Red Nose is looking for drivers, navigators and escort drivers for Dec. 31. To apply, download a form at operationrednosetricities.com and visit Coquitlam RCMP or Port Moody Police to fill out a criminal record check.

jcleugh@tricitynews.com


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GET HOME SAFELY
Volunteers with Operation Red Nose are on the roads this Friday and Saturday. Call 778-866-6673 for a safe ride home from your holiday party.
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