The 2024 holiday season in Portage la Prairie was brighter and safer thanks to Central Plains Safe Ride Inc.'s successful Operation Red Nose campaign. The program provided 319 safe rides home and raised $11,120 in donations, which were distributed among the organizations that sent teams of dedicated volunteers to prevent people from drinking and driving in the community.
Central Plains Safe Rides President Leo Lapointe shares his pride for their volunteers this year.
"The campaign had another good year! We kept 319 people from drinking and driving, and that's the main reason why we're out there," Lapointe says. “We’re going to keep doing this campaign year after year because we want everybody to have a safe holiday season.”
The campaign profoundly impacted Melva Bajet, a local Simplot employee who has adopted her orphaned nieces and nephews from the Philippines and is helping them start a new life in Canada.
"One is from my brother who passed away in 2017 and then three of them from my sister who passed away in 2023. Three of them are already here since last October,” Bajet explains. “There's one more boy who was left behind.”
With the help of MP Brandon Leslie, Bajet is hopeful that her remaining 14-year-old nephew will join his family in Canada this October.
“He was left behind and he was so jealous that his sister was already here. It has broken my heart. He says to me, ‘Auntie when can I come there?’ Nobody wants him there, and nobody's looking after him or giving him the proper guidance. I hope we can get him here soon.”
The campaign also supported the Gage Foster Athletic Scholarship Fund for Gage who tragically passed away in a drunk driving accident in 2018. Dave McLeod was Gage’s coach, and his son was Gage’s best friend.
"We've been volunteering now for six years or so, this was a way to make an impact and keep his memory alive,” McLeod says. “I'm sure Gage’s parents will be happy to receive this cheque for the fund.”
The weekends Bajet and McLeod came out saw the highest number of volunteers and because of this, their organizations received the highest donations. Bajet received $3640 and McLeod received $3220 for Gage’s scholarship fund.
Mayor Sharilyn Knox was also involved, bringing out groups to support safe rides home and raise donations for Central Plains Cancer Services where she is the executive director.
"We're grateful for the support that this organization and the volunteers have given to Central Plains Cancer Services,” Mayor Knox says. “When the opportunity comes for 2025 – get involved in this program! I did it for two seasons, and we always had a great night. It is a feel-good when you know you're getting people home safe and sound from their holiday Adventures.”
Though the year has just begun, Lapointe says the team is already preparing for Operation Red Nose’s 2025 season.
“We did well for the 2024 campaign, but now we have the full year ahead and we're already approaching different groups. I'm looking forward to the coming season. The more volunteers the better so, come on out and have fun. We feed you and always try to get you out at 3:00 AM!”
