Operation Red Nose Prince George will not provide its safe ride service during the holiday season this year.
Operation Red Nose is a national program and because of the current coronavirus pandemic, organizers have decided rides home could not be completed safely for those accessing the service or the volunteers providing it.
"The safety of our volunteers, clients and local host organizations has always been one of our top priorities," Jean-Philippe Giroux, executive director for Operation Red Nose, said. "The decision was made after long and careful consideration and not without emotion. We remain convinced that positive initiatives will be possible this holiday season. In the meantime, we want to remind everyone to always plan ahead for a safe way to get home."
In November Operation Red Nose Prince George will reveal the details of its 2020 awareness campaign, which will exclude the safe ride service this year.
Operation Red Nose Prince George wishes to thank all volunteers and sponsors for their support year after year.
For the last 20 years the local Rotary Club of Prince George-Nechako has provided the Operation Red Nose safe ride service along with its partners, sponsors and dedicated volunteers.
Each year the safe ride service helped raise about $27,000 in donations in the community.
All proceeds went to fund local youth or amateur sports projects.
The organization hopes to bring the service back in 2021.
