33rd edition of Operation Nez Rouge Sherbrooke aims big, goes green
The 33rd edition of Sherbrooke’s Operation Nez Rouge the organization is inviting the public to join in a well-established local tradition. The theme this year, "A Holiday Classic," highlights the fact that Operation Nez Rouge is an enjoyable way to be part of the Christmas and New Year's celebration both as a client or a volunteer. The popular driving escort service will be in operation from December 1 to December 31 inclusively.
The 2016 edition was a real success, the organization says, thanks to the 2,812 volunteers who carried out no fewer than 5,533 escorts and, the generosity of users in the region was unprecedented with a record of nearly $89,000 raised in donations.
Thanks to the satellite stations in Coaticook, the Haut-st-françois, Magog, and Val-st-françois, the local operation can boast of organizing the second largest Operation Nez Rouge in the province in terms of the number of rides provided.
The 2017 campaign, which will offer continuous service every night in December, will once again aim to make the area's roads safer during the holidays, and help support sports excellence at the Université de Sherbrooke and other youth organizations in the region. Quantitatively, the objectives for the coming campaign are to attract 2,800 volunteers, which should allow us to provide about 5,500 rides.
For 33 years now, Operation Nez Rouge Sherbrooke has been encouraging U de S Vert & Or athletes thanks to the generosity of users of the service and its partners. To represent the Vert & Or this year, two exceptional athletes have agreed to be the regional spokespersons. Maïté Bouchard, from the athletics team and Jérémie-billal Lardi from the football team, want to continue to convince as many people as possible that alcohol and driving do not mix well.
"Although our previous campaigns have revealed a growing awareness of the population in this regard, there is still much to do," Bouchard says.
Lardi is calling on the general public, businesses and regional organizations and their committed volunteers to enjoy a pleasant and unique experience alongside Vert & Or athletes in this well-established holiday season tradition.
The local organizing committee is also aiming to take a green turn by making Nez Rouge an eco-responsible event.
First of all, the hope is to provide a "zero carbon" event by offsetting greenhouse gas emitted by volunteer vehicles during the campaign through the purchase of carbon credits.
"The Université de Sherbrooke is proud to collaborate on an innovative project by Nez Rouge in terms of sustainable development," says Patrice Cordeau, U de S Assistant to the Office of the Vicerector, Administration and Sustainable Development. “Operation Nez Rouge Sherbrooke will be able to use the CO2 offset program ECOTIERRA-UDES, a tool that allows the university community to offset its GHG emissions by purchasing carbon units. In addition to the purchase of certified compensatory credits, the program also allows for, the planting of a tree on Udes lands for each unit, a contribution to the development of renewable energy at Udes and to the financing of internships and fellowships in the field of climate change and carbon offsetting.” The institution has identified a space dedicated to the creation of the Sherbrooke Nez Rouge Forest, located behind its outdoor stadium. Twenty trees will be planted in the spring of 2018.
GHG reduction will also be advanced thanks to the Estrie Regional Environmental Council (CREE) and Udes by the organization of two electric evenings where staff members and partners will provide the escorted rides with 100 per cent electric cars.
Finally, Operation Nez Rouge Sherbrooke aims to become a "zero waste" event and is thus committed to implementing a high-performance waste management system by using compostable crockery and by multiplying the number of multi-material sorting stations in its central office. Measures will also be put in place to incorporate sustainable development in all local operations.