Car dealers supplying shuttle vehicles to HomeJames
The festive season is fast approaching, meaning a lot of partying, with some people perhaps overdoing it.
The HomeJames program will be operating again, and considering its success over the last several years, a lot of people in this area will
be able to get home from festivities safe, along with their passengers and vehicles.
A phone call to the HomeJames dispatch line (905-951-9000) will result in a team of three going to the client’s location in a shuttle vehicle. One of the volunteers is assigned to drive the client’s vehicle, with the client and his or her passengers riding in it. Another team member is in charge of the shuttle vehicle, and the third member is the navigator.
The program depends heavily on volunteers, but corporate sponsorship is a major component too. And that is certainly the case when it comes to the shuttle vehicles.
Once again this year, local car dealers are generously stepping up to help ensure more people in the community get home safe over the holidays, and they are doing it with enthusiasm.
Craig Nazare, general manager of Bolton Toyota, said it’s a way to support the community.
“It’s important to support the community when it comes to drinking an driving,” he added. “We don’t want them driving home.”
Omar Amin, service advisor with Bolton Kia, said the dealership has been supporting the program since it started locally.
“We’ve always supported this,” he said. “It is important for people to arrive home safely.”
“To help the community,” was the reasoning offered by Roham Jamali, project director with Caledon Chrysler. “That’s the most important thing.”
Jamali added people in the company have children, so they all understand the importance of not driving while impaired.
Brock Laver, sales manager at Bolton Hyundai, agreed with the value of the program.
“Make sure everyone arrives home safe and sound,” he said. “It’s a great program. We’ve been working with it for the past three years or so.”
The benefits to the community have also been on the minds of people at Bolton Honda.
“We believe in giving back to the community; the community that supports us throughout the year,” commented General Sales Manager Chris Holmes. “Any way we can help out, we’re part of.”
“It’s a good cause,” he added. “I don’t know any other communities that are doing this. It’s amazing.”
“It’s the best thing for the community,” commented Craig Watson, general manager of Bolton GM.
He also observed the numbers of people taking advantage of the service are increasing every year.
“I guess everybody in town likes it too,” he observed. “I think it’s a great program,” he added. “It’s all volunteer, run by great people.”
Bolton Nissan is nother long-time supporter of the program.
“We’re doing it for the community,” commented General Sales Manager Kuljit Batra. “We want a very safe community here.” “We’ve been involved since the very first,” observed Carlos Martins, general manager at Fines Ford Lincoln. “”We’re happy to participate.
We think it’s a great service.”
In fact, Martins said he’d like to see the service expanded. “It’s certainly a safe alternative for people in rural Caledon.”
The program runs Friday and Saturday nights until Dec. 27, as well as New Year’s Eve, which falls on a Wednesday this year.
Written & Photo by Bill Rea
