Operation Nez Rouge home for the holidays in Sherbrooke and Magog
After a year’s absence in 2020, Operation Nez Rouge is resuming service in half of its traditional regions this year, including Sherbrooke and Magog from Nov. 26 to Dec. 31.
On Friday, Nov. 26 at 2:30 p. m. Operation Flashing Lights will open the 2021 season with a parade of sirens and lights through Sherbrooke from Rock Forest, then downtown and looping back to Université de Sherbrooke campus.
Since 1985, the ride-hailing service has offered a free safe drive home during the holidays. “Operation Nez Rouge volunteers make it possible for those who make the right choice to get home in one piece. It’s the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones!” says Valérie Lavoie, Honorary Chair of the 38th Operation Red Nose campaign.
If riders make a donation, funds go to support local youth and amateur sport organizations. Operation Nez Rouge Sherbrooke 2021 is partnered with Vert & Or athletes. Spokespersons Philippe Plourde (athletics) and Gabrielle Morin (swimming) want local drivers to remember that driving does not mix with fatigue or alcohol and drug impairment. “Although our previous campaigns have shown an ever-increasing awareness of this issue, there is still a lot to be done.”
Special health measures will be in effect this year. Volunteers will be required to present a valid vaccine passport. Masks will be provided for both volunteers and riders, and masks will be mandatory in vehicles and at Operation Nez Rouge centres. The campaign will continue to track the evolution of Covid numbers throughout the season and apply public health measures.
To register as a volunteer, visit www.operationnezrouge.com. There are a few roles to choose from at a central office, or out and about as an escort driver using your own vehicle, as a driver of clients’ vehicles, or as a navigator who rides along with drivers in clients’ vehicles.
In order to encourage volunteer participation in Sherbrooke, coowner of Sports Trans-action and Regional Honorary President Yannick Charbonneau said his company is sponsoring a nightly draw among the volunteers on shift to win a ski or snowboard rental. Dec. 18 will be a special Sports Trans-actions evening, and every volunteer will receive a small gift that night.
Sherbrooke will be active 16 nights this year, Thursdays through Saturdays from Nov. 26 to Dec 31, including Dec. 24 and 25.
Magog will be active 14 nights, Thursdays through Saturdays from Nov. 26 to Dec 31, but not on Dec. 24 and 25.
Some regions that had been active in previous years may not be covered this year, such as Coaticook, Haut and Val-saint-francois, Granby, and
Drummondville.
For complete, up-to-date information, visit www.operationnezrouge.com/en/ home
Region of Sherbrooke
819-821-4646
Thu, Fri, Sat evenings from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Covering the communities of: North Hatley, Saint-claude, Sherbrooke
Region of Magog 819-742-0169, 819-821-4646
Thu, Fri, Sat evenings from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Covering the communities of: Austin, Bolton-est, Eastman, Hatley, Hatley Township, Magog, Ogden, Omerville, Orford, Orford Township, Potton Township, Saint-benoît-du-lac, Saintétienne-de-bolton, Sainte-catherine-dehatley, Stanstead, Stanstead Township, Ste-catherine de Hatley, Stukely-sud