Operation Red Nose had a busy second weekend in Prince George.
The organization delivered 216 safe rides home and set a new record in the process. On Friday (Dec. 7), 67 volunteers, including 15 road teams, provided 104 rides. They racked up 2,811 kilometres.
This set a new record for rides delivered in the third night of operation. The highest total prior to that was 95 rides in both 2014 and 2015.
Then on Saturday (Dec. 8), 76 volunteers, including 18 road teams, provided 112 rides.
“It was a fantastic weekend all around,” said Andrea Johnson, Operation Red Nose spokesperson, in a press release.
“Teams were busy crisscrossing the city both nights for the majority of the six hours that we were on the road and managed to keep up to the demand for rides. On Saturday, our volunteers who answered clients’ calls were sometimes taking requests for as many as three different rides in one call.”
After four nights of service, a total of 342 safe rides home have been delivered. As for volunteers, 214 people have signed up, including 47 who are helping out for the first time.
However, the organization needs 36 more volunteers for New Year’s Eve. Anyone interested can apply online as soon as possible. The application does include a criminal record check.
Operation Red Nose will be out again on Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15. Call them at 250-962-7433 between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. if you need a lift.
And if you’re not in the know, Operation Red Nose is a free and confidential designated driving service where a team of road volunteers will pick you up and drive you home safely in your own vehicle. The service is offered by donation with the proceeds going back into the community to organizations dedicated to youth.
