NSAC Students Lead Operation Red Nose for Second Year

NSAC students are putting on their red noses and vests this holiday season to help out with Operation Red Nose (ORN). ORN is a free, designated-driver service that keeps impaired drivers off the road and raises awareness about celebrating responsibly.

Minister of Education, and MLA for Colchester North, The Honourable Karen Casey, Truro Mayor Bill Mills, NSAC senior management, representatives from the RCMP and local police force and other distinguished guests attended the official ORN launch on Nov. 19 in the Langille Athletic Centre. In Truro, during the 2007 holiday season, 62 volunteers drove home over 80 vehicles and 200 people.

“Volunteering with Operation Red Nose is fun and it is important way to volunteer and become more involved with the local community,” said NSAC third year engineering student and NSAC Students' Union Vice President Student Affairs Jenna Hazelton.

Rachel West, Operation Red Nose Truro co-ordinator (left) and Jenna Hazelton (right) pose with NSAC and ORN mascots.

This is the second year the NSAC Students’ Union is hosting the volunteer-based program which offers party goers and their cars a safe ride home. The program runs from the last weekend in November until December 20.

“Student leadership is very strong at NSAC,” said Bernie MacDonald Co-President and Vice President Administration. “We are delighted to see it in action by our students not only volunteering but stepping up and leading a service like this in the community.”

While there is no cost for the designated driver service donations are accepted and given to local youth organizations and amateur sport organizations. Last year, ORN raised over $2,200 for Safe Grad programs in Truro. These funds were matched by the Insurance Bureau of Canada for a final donation of $5,000.

902-897-1676 is the Truro-Bible Hill area contact number for the ORN program.

Guests at the ORN launch pose for a photograph with mascosts. (L-R) Dr. Bernie MacDonald; Rachael West, past ORN student co-ordinator; the Honourable Karen Casey; Bill Adams, acting vice-president, Atlantic, Insurance Bureau of Canada; Mayor Mills and a representative of the Truro Police Service.