(Referenced in today’s newscast)

For the fifth year YMCA Northumberland partnered with Cobourg and Port Hope Police Services to reduce the incidence of impaired driving by offering Operation Red Nose Northumberland to our communities throughout the holiday season.

Operation Red Nose Northumberland provided free rides home, with generous support from sponsors, this holiday season to ensure everyone in the community arrived home safely. Following this year’s theme, “A Call That Goes A Long Way”, 193 volunteer spots were filled by 85 volunteers who provided 314 rides and drove 10,192 km across Northumberland County. This year, the program raised $35,844 through sponsorships and donations, which will help hundreds of individuals engage in a healthy active lifestyle and connect with their communities by accessing YMCA programs and services, helping to build Strong Communities.

“We are very pleased to report a successful fifth year of Operation Red Nose Northumberland,” says Eunice Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA Northumberland. “Our dedicated volunteers contributed 1,675 hours over nine nights of operation in November and December, ensuring that both drivers and vehicles got home safely. YMCA Northumberland is pleased to have partnered again this year with the Cobourg and Port Hope Police Services, our Community Partners, sponsors and volunteers to collectively build stronger, healthier and safer communities throughout Northumberland.”

“The Cobourg Police Service is committed to ensuring roads in our jurisdiction are safe from alcohol and drug-impaired drivers. Impaired driving can quickly turn a joyous time of year into a tragedy. This year, three people were arrested for impaired driving by alcohol, and one for refusing to comply with drug screening demands. I applaud the women and men of the Cobourg Police Services for their commitment to keeping our roads safe. The Cobourg Police Service will be increasing our efforts in apprehending alcohol/drug impaired drivers,” says Paul VandeGraaf, Chief of the Cobourg Police Service.

“The safety of the roads in our communities continues to be a priority for the Port Hope Police Service,” says Katie Andrews, Staff Sergeant, Port Hope Police Service. “Operation Red Nose has helped in the fight against impaired driving, and we are grateful for the dedicated volunteers for supporting the 2019 campaign.”

To become involved in Operation Red Nose 2020, and learn how you can support this program, please visit ymcanrt.org/orn. This nation- wide program runs every November and December in communities around Canada, and a call for volunteers and sponsors will go out in October.