Operation Red Nose continued to be a driving force last weekend.
In its third run of the season, the Prince George group of designated and escort drivers provided 282 rides home on Dec. 14 and 15. This was only two rides shy of a record 284 rides in 2010.
On Friday, 24 volunteer teams provided 124 rides - a new record for night five of Red Nose. In 2011, there were 103 rides and 101 in 2010.
Saturday night saw 158 safe rides, which was two more than was provided on the same night last year. In 2010, night six produced 183 rides home.
"It goes to show that party-goers are choosing a safe alternative to getting home," said Operation Red Nose spokesperson Andrea Johnson. "The appreciate what we're doing and our volunteers were more than happy to help them out."
Clients were so eager that there were five or six rides ready to go as soon as the phones were turned on at 9 p.m. on Saturday, she added. "There were very few slow periods and the wait time for a ride was about 30 minutes."
So far, Red Nose has provided 626 rides this year, putting Prince George at second overall out of 23 Red Nose groups in the province. Only Langley/Surrey has driven more people home, with 678 rides. Kamloops is close behind with 607 rides so far in 2012.
There are three nights remaining for the ORN season, and co-ordinators expect the interest to only rise.
"Because of the way Christmas falls this year, we only have about 18 teams lined up for this weekend and New Year's Eve and we're asking those who have already helped us out one or two nights to help us out again," said Johnson. Those who sign up to help out on New Years Eve will be entered into a draw to win a pair of tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld at CN Centre May 2.
New volunteers who haven't already submitted their application must do so before Dec. 19 in order for there to be time to process their Criminal Record check. All volunteers must be 19 years of age or older and have a valid driver's licence.
To sign up, visit www.ornpg.ca.
