Come this Thursday, Nov. 9, Operation Red Nose will celebrating its 16th year in Richmond and Delta.
At its 2 p.m. kick-off this week at Delta Gymnastics Society, the public is welcome to attend the event that celebrates this holiday designated-driving service.
Dignitaries, media, gymnastics displays and a visit from Rudy the Operation Red Nose mascot is on the schedule for Thursday.
“Operation Red Nose is an important program in the community. We need as many volunteers as possible to ensure we can meet the demand for rides we expect during the holiday season,” said executive director of Delta Gymnastics Ana Arciniega.
“Our returning volunteers take great pride in knowing they’ve made a difference in the community by keeping people safe. It’s a way for all of us to give back.”
Volunteers must be 19 years of age with a valid driver’s license. They can be part of a road team of three or work behind the scenes answering phones at Operation Red Nose headquarters.
Applications, which include a criminal record check form, are now available online at OperationRedNoseDelta.com.
Volunteers can simply print and fill it out and take it along with their driver’s license to the local police detachment.
The free, seasonal service, organized by Delta Gymnastics Society, in partnership with ICBC, Richmond and Delta Police, allows party-goers to not only get themselves home safely, but their vehicles, too.
The service is available on nine nights during the holiday season to those who do not feel fit to drive.
The safe ride home service is free and any donations received from clients stay in the community and go directly to local youth and amateur sport.
On average, about 12 road teams of three will be on call each night of service, working from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. This year, Operation Red Nose will be in service Nov. 24 and 25, Dec. 1 and 2, Dec. 8 and 9, Dec. 15 and 16 and New Year’s Eve.
In 2016, the Delta-Richmond teams delivered 487 safe rides home in nine nights.
Operation Red Nose will be holding an information night for all those interested to learn more about the program on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at Delta Gymnastics Society, 4680 Clarence Taylor Crescent in Ladner.
Delta Gymnastics Society offers programs from infants to seniors at their Ladner facility year-round. For information of events, programs and activities visit DeltaGymnastics.com.
