Image: Stock photo supplied by Chilliwack Restorative Justice / At least 30 volunteers in Chilliwack (not shown in the above picture) will be working on behalf of Operation Red Nose this Saturday night during New Year's Eve, offering a ride to people who may have had too much to drink.
Operation Red Nose

At least 30 Operation Red Nose volunteers to work during New Year’s Eve Saturday in Chilliwack

Dec 29, 2022 | 12:11 PM

CHILLIWACK — Steve Roukema knows he’ll working long hours this coming weekend when the new year arrives.

It’ll all be for a great cause when he and his roster of at least 30 volunteers gear up for Operation Red Nose in Chilliwack this Saturday night (Dec. 31) starting at 8:30 p.m.

Roukema will be one of the Operation Red Nose drivers who provide a public service to those who have had too much to drink at seasonal, year-end parties.

“We will need 40 volunteers for the final Operation Red Nose night and currently have 30,” Roukema wrote in an email Thursday. “I will be part of the driving team as well! We start volunteering at 8:30 p.m. and finish at about 3 a.m. New Year’s Day!”

Operation Red Nose (ORN) relies on volunteers and a driver service to help people get home from festive parties. This year, the service started November 25 and culminates on New Year’s Eve.

All across Canada, nonprofits like Chilliwack Restorative Justice, which oversees ORN, are raising funds for youth sports and education through Operation Red Nose. Roukema indicated Chilliwack Restorative Justice’s goal is to raise $30,000 for its Restorative School Program.

Image: Supplied by CRJ / Chilliwack Restorative Justice executive director Steve Roukema (left) will be one of approximately 30 people working as part of Operation Red Nose this Saturday night during New Year’s Eve festivities. Operation Red Nose runs until 3 a.m. in Chilliwack.

The Restorative School Program partners with the school district to build a culture of restorative justice among teachers, youth care workers, counsellors, and students. Right now, the program is available at three schools in Chilliwack, with a fourth beginning in January.