Répit le Zéphyr takes the reins for Opération Nez rouge

Opération Nez rouge remains a tradition for the holiday season. This year, Répit le Zéphyr will take charge of the ride home service that is offered over 11 evenings during the month of December. "The money will allow us to offer respite hours at a reduced rate," explained Isabelle Corbeil, director of the organization. "Demand for our services has been on the rise." Last year, 10 570 hours were offered to more than 125 families in Beauharnois-Salaberry, Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the Haut-Saint-Laurent. Services are offered to families who have a child with an intellectual disability or that is on the autism spectrum. In recent years, the Fondation Tournesol acted as coordinating manager, however, the organization terminated its activities earlier this year. Luc Langevin, honourary president of the 2017 campaign, explained how the transition would take place. "Opération Nez rouge was a high point in our year," he admitted. "It was in keeping for us to pass the torch over to Zéphyr who shared some parts of our mission. 11 evenings Opération Nez rouge will offer 11 evenings of the ride home service in December (see table below). Évelyne Cazelais from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec indicated that if road behaviour has changed in recent years, it has been thanks, in particular, to Opération Nez rouge. Statistics show that 98% of the population believes that there is no reasonable excuse for driving impaired. "The record is improving, but we don't take anything for granted," she said. "Drinking and driving is the cause of 130 deaths a year and over 2000 injuries. Unfortunately, we are slightly above the average in the Montérégie." Some 600 volunteers will participate this year. "It's a great and enriching experience," stated Luc Langevin. "It always makes me feel very proud to be part of making our roads safer." It is possible to register on line through operationnezrouge.com. Pay with a voucher This year, Opération Nez rouge Valleyfield is offering something new with a ride home voucher. Businesses will be able to purchase tickets, at a cost of their choosing, which they can then distribute to their employees or clients. Clients or employees will be able to use the service in exchange for their vouchers. "Each business decides what a voucher is worth," explained Corbeil. "This is a local initiative responding to a request that was made." Businesses can also arrange for a mascot evening. A group from the company accompanies the mascot on his tour in order to collect donations. Voyages Gendron is offering a three day, two night excursion for 8 in the Charlevoix Region to the team that collects the most donations. Translated by Cathleen Johnston