By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When the night was over, 134 people – with varying levels of intoxication – were dropped off safely at home by volunteers in Bowling Green.
This was the seventh year of the New Year’s Eve program called “Swallow Your Pride, Call for a Ride” by Safe Communities of Wood County.
As usual, the purpose of the program was misunderstood by some.
“They want to be picked up and taken to the bars,” said Sandy Wiechman, coordinator of the Safe Communities program. “That’s not what we do.”
And no, the vans will not make a pit stop at Taco Bell on the way home, said volunteer driver Donna Foster.
The program is designed to get people home safely after they’ve been at the bars or elsewhere ringing in the new year.
Volunteers drove two vans donated for the night by the Thayer dealership, plus a small bus loaned by the Wood County Committee on Aging.
Driving one of the vans was Frank Davis, of Bowling Green, who was volunteering for his second year with the program. Riding “shotgun” was Wiechman.
“I have teenagers, so I just want to make sure kids get home safe,” Davis said, as he drove around downtown looking for the next load of young people needing a ride.
From 11 p.m. to nearly 4 a.m., the volunteers picked up New Year’s revelers and dropped them safely off at home.
One group was picked up at Al Mar bowling center. They had tried to get a ride with Uber and Lyft, but none were available. So the other option was walking home.
“We would have been icicles,” said Christie Evans, who was visiting from Massillon. “We knew we weren’t going to drive home.”
Like many of the passengers, Evans was grateful for the ride home. “We appreciate you,” she said.
Many of the passengers tried to pay the volunteers – but were told by Wiechman that no money could be accepted.
The next couple passengers were picked up in the city parking lot behind Beckett’s. They also had tried calling Uber and Lyft, with no success. They considered hanging out in the Circle K gas station to stay warm as they waited.
The two women, Heather Milne and April Dix were driven to Milne’s home in Haskins – chatting the entire way with Wiechman and Davis.
“That’s why we do what we do. We get them home,” Davis said as he drove back to Bowling Green.
Davis’ and Wiechman’s loaner van went unscathed by inebriated riders – but they were prepared. Each vehicle was equipped with garbage bags, paper towels, plastic gloves and bottles of water.
“We are prepared,” Wiechman said. “We’ve got the crisis intervention.”
The next group of partiers thanked Davis and Wiechman for preventing them from getting frostbite or hypothermia.
“I think this is a very helpful service,” rider Devann Springer said.
Next was a vanload of students Wiechman knew from her work at Bowling Green State University.
“Thanks for getting us, Mom,” one of the students said.
“No stupid stuff,” Wiechman advised as they were dropped off.
Then Davis and Wiechman were back on the road again, looking for the next revelers needing a safe ride home.
“You don’t mind doing it because they are so pleasant and respectful,” Wiechman said.
