Service to get intoxicated people home is struggling to stay afloat

By: BRIAN ECKHOUSE - Staff Writer | Saturday, July 1, 2006 11:06 PM PDT ∞

TEMECULA ---- Eddie and Nikki Varela knew there would be, initially, a heavy personal expense involved in starting a nonprofit corporation providing a free service to people who are too drunk to drive.

But he says he expected the operation, Jon Boy's Confidential Transportation, to be self-funded by now, three years after its establishment.

"It's important enough that we figured that it would eventually fund itself," said Nikki Varela, 38.

Not only has that not happened, the Varelas said recently that they have financed the entire operation this year, to the tune of $4,600.

That changed Monday, however, when Eddie Varela received a $2,500 check from Pechanga Resort & Casino. And the Temecula couple are hoping that other local businesses ultimately help offset their costs so the service can continue.

The Varelas founded Jon Boy's in 2003 ---- about seven years after their 14-year-old son, Jonathon, died from injuries he suffered when he was hit by a drunken driver as he ran across Rancho California Road on his way home.

"I'm doing this because I lost a son," said Eddie Varela, 46. "He was unable to make an impact on society, but I will do it in his name."

In its inaugural year, the Varelas had a debt of $13,000 after transporting 29 people, mostly within Southwest County, often from Pechanga. They said they expected that number to double in the second year, but it nearly tripled to 83. That year, their total expenses incurred were about $7,000.

In that first year, Pechanga and the Murrieta Noon Rotary Club contributed a combined $3,000.

After hearing recently that the operation was struggling financially, Pechanga again contributed to the couple's efforts.

"We've supported him in the past, and we believe in his humanitarian efforts and dedication to the cause," said Michelle Shilder, Pechanga's vice president of marketing. "And we have had guests use the service from the casino, and we definitely want to support that."

This year, the relative lack of outside funding has been compounded by both the enormous spike in gas prices and the increased demand for their service.

"So, we've had to turn down calls to Hemet and Corona," said Nikki Varela, Jonathon's stepmother. "Financially, we can't afford it."

Eddie Varela guaranteed that Jon Boy's wouldn't fold, but said that if more funding doesn't come in, they may cut back their response to calls further.

"Now, it's going to be case-by-case, but we're not going to stop Jon Boys ---- it will always go on," he said. "We don't ask for any money ---- our concern is to get the roads safe."

But they would like area businesses that benefit from the sale of alcohol to contribute. That way, they wouldn't have to turn anyone away because doing so conflicts with the very reason why the Varelas founded Jon Boy's: to ensure that teenagers don't needlessly die.

And, of course, to honor their son.

"I have to make sure my son's name is out there," Eddie Varela said. "What we went through, it's terrible. It's reality, though."

Eddie Varela can often be found at high schools throughout Southwest County, emphasizing to teenagers that fact: drunken drivers take lives regularly.

"We're going to make an impact, no ifs ands or buts," he said. "If we're going to affect society, we have to start right here in Temecula."

While at these schools, he's asked repeatedly why he's there. So, he tells and retells the horrific end to his beloved son's life.

"I think about it every morning, every evening," he said. "It's always there: I lost a 14-year-old son due to another's person's irresponsibility."

So at all hours of the night ---- or right after dawn, as is the case on New Year's ---- the Varelas board their Ford Expedition when their phone rings, heading out to pick up mostly strangers.

"I get to where I hate the ring of my phone," Nikki Varela acknowledged. "It's a jolt."

Her husband nodded.

"But we get to a point where we think, 'We don't want this to happen again,'" Eddie Varela said.

Contact staff writer Brian Eckhouse at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or beckhouse@californian.com.

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