Nearly 100 volunteers have signed up for this holiday season's edition of Operation Red Nose.
As of Tuesday, the count was 99, which is a good start as far as ORN spokeswoman Andrea Johnson is concerned, but there is room for many more.
"We'd love to have 350 volunteers, but we usually get about 250," Johnson said.
Entering its 19th season, the service provides rides home for holiday season revelers and their trucks and cars.
The service is free, although donations are appreciated with proceeds going to various worthy causes.
The commitment is as little as one night but many volunteers often work three or four and then there are those hardcore volunteers who work every night Operation Red Nose takes to the roads.
"Sometimes a new volunteer will sign up for one night, have so much fun and then sign up for more nights when they return at 3 a.m., which is great," Johnson said.
Prize draws every night and an end-of-season grand prize also provide a bit of incentive.
A group of 25 BMO employees are coming out one night this year, as well as volunteers from Scouts Canada, Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club, Prince George Judo, AimHi, Prince George Safe Attitudes and Actions Society and the Prince George Nighthawks Pathfinders.
With the first nights of operation set for Nov. 25 and Nov. 26, those interested are being asked to sign up as soon as possible.
To do so, go to www.ornpg.ca, fill out an application form, print it out and take it, along with your driver's license, to the RCMP's main detachment at 455 Victoria St. for a criminal record check.
Operation Red Nose volunteers will also be out on Dec. 2 and 3, Dec. 9 and 10, Dec. 16 and 17, Dec. 30 and New Year's Eve.
On average, about 15 road teams of three will be on call each night of service, working from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Volunteers can also work behind the scenes answering phones at Operation Red Nose headquarters.
Organizers will also be at the Canadian Hockey League's Canada-Russia game on Monday at CN Centre, as well as at the Prince George Spruce Kings game on Nov. 25 to give out information to those interested.
In 2015, 1,059 rides home were given over nine nights, which ranked Prince George second overall out of 13 communities in B.C.
It was also the third-best year in the history of ORN in Prince George.
