WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Drive Safe needs volunteers, announces new hours Jan. 14, 2005 KALAMAZOO--Drive Safe Kalamazoo, which provided 6,200 safe rides home for Western Michigan University students during the 2003-04 school year, has announced new operating hours and four volunteer training sessions during spring semester. Drive Safe Kalamazoo is a student organization that provides free rides for students to reduce the potential for drunk driving in the Kalamazoo area. DSK now operates Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Student volunteers work in teams of two to provide safe rides home for students who call 345-0DSK (345-0375) and request a ride. "As always, we love to take students home, but we can't operate without volunteers or patrons," says Ruthann Lapham, a junior from Redford, Mich., and DSK officer. Lapham emphasized the continuing need for new volunteers and said that four one-hour training sessions will be offered during the next month. "Volunteers only need to attend one of the sessions," she says. DSK Volunteer Training Sessions Tuesday, Jan 18, 9 p.m., 213 Bernhard Center Sunday, Jan 23, 5:30 p.m., 212 Bernhard Center Sunday, Feb 13, 5:30 p.m., 212 Bernhard Center Wednesday, Feb 16, 9 p.m., 212 Bernhard Center Drive Safe Kalamazoo's purpose is to help make Kalamazoo a safer community. DSK gives free rides home to WMU students and their friends without asking questions about why they need a ride. DSK does not condone underage drinking, but recognizes that the underage population will drink and potentially drive, which poses a risk to the community. More about Drive Safe Kalamazoo is available on the Web at <www.rso.wmich.edu/dsk> or contact Ruthann Latham at <ruthann.lapham@wmich.edu>. Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news