A free designated driver program for those who find themselves impaired during the Christmas holidays may be in trouble.
The "Home James" program in Chatham-Kent is having trouble attracting volunteers and may have to stop operations if it doesn't get enough interest by October 1. Program coordinator Jodie Hogg said last year was one of the busiest since the program started in 2012. She said a total of 674 rides got 2,713 people home safe.
Committee member Mary Jo Greenslade said calls have increased every year but the number of volunteer staff and committee members has been dropping.
"[The] program is in such demand over the holiday season, especially New Year's [Eve]. We just can't begin to keep up with New Year's. We do but we put in a lot of road time on that night and we put in a lot of road time on other nights and through all kinds of weather," Greenslade said.
Greenslade said there is a severe shortage of organized and computer savvy volunteers and the need is immediate if the program is going to survive.
"The volunteer base is getting older, they're dwindling down and a lot of them don't want to drive at night. A lot of them have prior commitments, jobs change and it is over the holiday season. So, that does make it harder to find volunteers," she added.
Greenslade said even if volunteers can only give one night, it will help the program keep running and maybe save a life.
"You might save somebody else's life. It helps keep our community safe and it's a good feeling to know that you helped somebody else out," said Greenslade.
The free, non-profit service gets impaired people home by using their vehicles over the holiday season.
Greenslade added that the program and the volunteer drivers are all insured.
The Home James program operates out of donated space at the Masonic Temple.
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