By Crystal Thompson
As part of this year's Sober & Safe Campaign, sponsored by the HELP (Havre Encourages Long-range Prevention) Committee, Havre Ford will be offering free rides to and from New Year's Eve parties around town.
The HELP Committee, in conjunction with the Hill County Tavern Association, the Hill County DUI Task Force and the Montana Department of Traffic Safety, is in it's fourth year of sponsoring the Safe & Sober program, which is made up of three elements; Designate-a-Driver, Host Responsibly, and New Year's Eve Home Free.
The New Year's Eve Home Free portion of the campaign will begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, New Year's Eve. Volunteers from Havre Ford will take calls from community members who plan on making alcohol a part of their holiday celebration. Transportation to and from celebration destinations will be available to the callers.
The idea behind this campaign, according to the HELP Committee, is to eliminate the temptation to drive after drinking. Rides will be available to take drinkers from bar to bar, to house parties, and back home.
Anyone whose holiday celebration includes drinking should plan ahead for transportation, says the HELP Committee, whether you take advantage of the Home Free campaign or you choose your own designated driver. Several local taverns will be participating in the Host Responsibly portion of the campaign by offering mugs to designated drivers, which can be filled with non-alcoholic beverages for free the entire night. As another reminder, bars will have cocktail napkins on hand, which are printed with the cost of a DUI.
Several Havre businesses have come together once again to ensure that this holiday will be a safe one. To participate in the Home Free campaign and receive a ride on New Year's Eve, call 949-0613 or 949-0614.
