A volunteer for Operation Red Nose St. Malo has shared his story with hopes of inspiring others.

Jari Carriere of St. Malo was having drinks at a friends house and made the decision to take the wheel. On his way home, he was pulled over and was issued a DUI. Carriere ended up losing his license, his vehicle and his job. He explains it also put his young family in a financial hole.

"My lawyer fees, which I had to get, were $7,000, I had to pay a fine from MPI of $1,500. In total, everything throughout the years have cost me $12,000 and counting," Carriere notes. He says it's not as simple as losing your license for a year and all is back to normal. Carriere had an ignition interlock device in his vehicle and only recently has he been clear of it.

To add to the list, Carriere's DUI also came with seven demerits which happens to come with a hefty price tag when renewing your license. "I've had my license for two years now, I'm at minus two so my license, this year, still cost me $420."

Carriere has a wife and young children which he adds is not easy when you have no license and are stuck paying large fines. "I'm not saying it's any easier if you're younger and you don't have a family but it's definitely a lot more stressful when you have young kids at home and a family and you need to provide for them," says Carriere, "It's tough to find work where you don't require a license."

When Carriere found out Operation Red Nose was coming to St. Malo, he was thrilled to get involved. He says he doesn't want to see anyone go through the pain that it caused him and his family. Carriere encourages everyone to get involved if they have they have the opportunity to.

"It's a split second decision that can ruin your life or ruin someone else's life and I feel with this in town it might help people make the smarter decision," Carriere says.

Operation Red Nose ride nights start Friday for both La Broquerie/Steinbach and St. Malo. For La Broquerie/Steinbach the number to call is 204-424-9555. For St. Malo, it is 204-347-5518