We are hours away from shouting ‘Happy New Year’ and beginning a brand new decade with our closest friends and loved ones here in Prince George.
If you’re likely to be partying and drinking this evening (Dec. 31) as part of celebrations, Operation Red Nose says its ready and able to get you and other local residents home safely to start 2020 on the right foot.
According to the free ride service, 25 volunteer teams will be out on the roads between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. on what is said to be the busiest night of the season.
The ‘eager and enthusiastic’ volunteers have spent four previous weekends this 2019 winter season helping Prince George party-goers arrive home safely, delivering more than 750 rides thus far.
This includes Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21.
“However, even with that number of road teams [25], we will be staying within city limits as we have done in the past and are asking people to be patient,” explains Operation Red Nose Prince George spokesperson Andrea Johnson in a news release.
“We know we’ll be quite busy from midnight to 4 a.m. and we’ll do our best to get to everyone who calls.”
When it comes to New Year’s Eve, Operation Red Nose has seen decreases in the number of rides home each year since 2015.
There were 209 that year with 35 volunteer teams, followed by 172 in 2016, 166 in 2017 and 157 in 2018.
There were 24 teams on the road in each of the last three winters.
Residents who need a ride home after celebrating New Year’s tonight are encouraged to call Operation Red Nose Prince George at 250-962-7433.
You must have a vehicle with valid B.C. license plates.
All donations during the campaign are going towards youth and amateur sport organizations in the city.
