Designated drivers looking for a way to give back to the community this holiday season can expand their efforts by volunteering with Operation Red Nose this year.
The designated driving service offered to the public by donation is presented by the Nechako Rotary Club of Prince George and ICBC for the 18th year.
The effort requires about 350 volunteers to make it work during the holiday season.
There are a minimum of 15 teams of three on call each night the service is available, which this year is Nov. 27 and 28,
Dec. 4 and 5, Dec. 11 and 12, Dec. 18 and 19 and New Year's Eve. Each shift goes from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The service provides residents who aren't fit to drive an option to get home safely, along with their vehicle.
Of the three volunteers on a team, one drives the client's car that carries the party goers, one navigates to get where they need to go and the other person follows behind in an escort vehicle to pick up the designated driver and navigator.
If a volunteer doesn't want to drive, volunteers are still needed to answer phones at Operation Red Nose headquarters.
Volunteers must have a valid driver's license and be 19 or older.
Applications, including a criminal record check form, are available at www.ornpg.ca.
Fill it out, print it and drop it off at the RCMP's main detachment at 455 Victoria St. Be sure to bring a valid driver's license along. Thanks to the RCMP's support, there is no cost for the criminal record check.
"Our volunteers who return year after year have a great time knowing they've made a difference in the community," said Andrea Johnson, Operation Red Nose spokesperson. "We guarantee new volunteers will feel the same way."
All Operation Red Nose asks for is a minimum of one night from each volunteer.
"For the new volunteers who usually come out for one night they have so much fun, they sign up for more nights," added Johnson.
Operation Red Nose will have information booths at the Cougars game at CN Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 21 and at the Coliseum for the Spruce Kings game on Friday, Oct. 23.
Last year there were 1,123 safe rides given over nine nights, which saw Prince George complete the second highest amount of rides out of 13 communities in B.C. that offer the service.
Operation Red Nose in Prince George reached a milestone in 2014, offering its 10,000th ride delivered in the 17-year history of the service in the city.
For more information call volunteer co-ordinator Karen Toombs at 250-961-6465.
