The Dauphin RIDE Program has received a nomination for the Eric Irwin Community Appreciation Group Award at the upcoming Parkland Chamber of Commerce Chamber Celebration Night.
The RIDE Program operates each weekend in December, offering rides to those who can't drive after holiday celebrations. Sho-Sho Shuttleworth-Lafontaine, RIDE Program Coordinator, said their volunteers just want to keep their community safe.
"The Dauphin RIDE Program is made up of local volunteers who just simply want to make our community a little safer by offering rides home when people need them," said Shuttleworth-Lafontaine.
She recalled a meeting in which her father, then-program director, posed a solution to the problem in a community meeting.
"It's quite simple, if they're out celebrating, we drive them home. Most of them are going home because they don't want to leave their vehicle out in the winter months to freeze up out in a parking lot somewhere," said Shuttleworth-Lafontaine.
Shuttleworth-Lafontaine originally called herself a dispatcher with the program, and has since taken on a larger role as Program Coordinator. Why? She wants to keep her home safe.
"The community is home. I have spent most of my life here, and when you're at home you want everyone in your community safe, and I think that this is just one way to ensure more safety in the community," said Shuttleworth-Lafontaine.
The Parkland Chamber of Commerce Chamber Celebration Night takes place on March 18th at the Countryfest Community Cinema. Last year's winner of the Eric Irwin Community Appreciation Group Award was the Watson Art Centre.
