Operation Red Nose finished up the holiday season last week after providing a total of 838 safe rides over the course of December.
Prince George's holiday safe-ride service delivered 166 rides home on New Year's Eve, with the help of 87 volunteers. The road teams travelled 3,281 km in total. According to Andrea Johnson, spokesperson for Operation Red Nose, the demand for rides after midnight stretched volunteer resources to their limit.
"We appreciate everyone who gave us a call on New Year's Eve and waited for us to arrive despite the long wait times that occurred after midnight," Johnson said.
"Our amazing volunteers did their best. We apologize to those we did not get to or had to turn away since they were outside city limits."
The service provided 872 rides in 2016 and 1,059 in 2015. Donations provided for these rides will be distributed to local youth and amateur sport groups.
Across B.C., Operation Red Nose delivered 4,765 safe-rides in 11 different communities. Across Canada, 51,261 volunteers helped deliver 71,430 safe rides in total.
"Even after 34 campaigns, I always find it very inspiring to witness the commitment of thousands of volunteers, which allows Operation Red Nose to exist and bring people safely home," said Jean-Marie De Koninck, Founding President of Operation Red Nose in a media statement.
"The generosity of these people towards their community makes a real difference, and I want to thank them for their outstanding participation."
Operation Red Nose Prince George is organized each year by the Rotary Club of Prince George Nechako in partnership with ICBC and the Prince George RCMP.
