FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Every weekend pairs of volunteers stay up through the night to ensure Fort Carson Soldiers and their Families arrive home safely after a night out.
The No DUI Response Team, which celebrated its first anniversary at The Hub March 3, has given over 4,760 rides and helped save countless lives since it began Dec. 31, 2014.
Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Clinton J. Reiss thanked volunteers and representatives from Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) for their unwavering support to help reduce the number of drunken driving offenses.
"This is not enough recognition for what you guys do all the time on the weekends to take care of your fellow Soldiers and giving back," said Reiss, one of the creators program's founders. "You service this community more than most do and I thank you so much."
The team has made a significant impact on the community and some volunteer Soldiers have given hundreds of hours of their personal time to keep their battle buddies safe.
BOSS President Spc. Anna Lopez, who helps oversee the team, has given more than 300 hours of her time and continues to volunteer with about 100 others who provide people with a ride home.
"It's actually a lot of fun," said Lopez. "It's nonstop with your phone ringing and going out and picking up these Soldiers and making sure they get home safely."
Volunteers pair into teams of two so one can pick up the caller in need and the other can drive the caller's car home.
Feedback from Soldiers has been overwhelming, according to Lopez.
"They love that we spend our weekends doing this for them because we are saving them from getting in trouble and helping them make the right choice to get home safely," said Lopez.
Calls range from 30-40 each weekend to over 70 a night on payday weekends, according to Lopez.
For the team's future, Lopez believes it is only going to get better since more people are taking notice of the program.
"A lot of people are using the program and our leadership is a huge part of the success to our program," said Lopez.
While DUIs still occur in small numbers, the team has been an integral factor in the reduction of drunken driving incidents involving Fort Carson Soldiers.
"You will never know the impact you have (made) but you have saved a lot of lives on Fort Carson," said Ed Menjivar, Army Substance Abuse Program pre-vention coordinator, at the event.
Call 526-9191 to volunteer for the program or email edgardo.a.menjivar.civ@mail.mil.
For a ride home from the No DUI Response Team, Department of Defense identification card holders can call 526-5347. The service is available Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
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