With holiday season parties in full swing, volunteers are needed to help provide a safe ride home with Operation Red Nose (ORN).
This year marks the 14th year since ORN has provided the service in Delta and Richmond.
This past weekend 88 Delta/Richmond volunteers drove more than 300 people home safely from their Christmas festivities. They travelled more than 3,500 kilometres to pick up and deliver responsible party goers throughout the area.
For the past few years, ORN organizers have seen a steady growth in the number of people using the service. But to keep it effective, the number of volunteers needs to keep pace, too.
“We are pleased that people are acting more responsibly by choosing Operation Red Nose,” said coordinator Carlene Lewall. “This also means that we need more volunteers. We are very short on volunteers especially this and next Saturday (Dec. 12 and 19), and New Years Eve.
“We encourage everyone to choose a safe drive home and to choose Operation Red Nose,” she added. “It is a convenient and unique service where we drive you home in your car.” The service is available between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19 and New Year’s Eve.
Clients can call ORN at 604-943-0460 to arrange a ride. The ORN designated driver, accompanied by a navigator, will drive the client(s) in their vehicle while an ORN escort vehicle follows behind. Navigators and escort drivers must be 19 years old or older, and designated drivers must be 21 or older.
Clients are advised to call 30 to 45 minutes in advance of their desired pick-up time and must have a vehicle to use the service.
Donations are greatly appreciated, but not required. All proceeds are directed to amateur sport to benefit children and youth in Delta and Richmond.
