Operation Red Nose riding high

Operation Red Nose delivered a total of 210 rides Friday and Saturday nights. That brings the overall total of 872 rides for 2016. 

On Friday, Dec. 30, 64 volunteers, including 15 road teams provided 38 rides, travelling 2,224 km.

Obviously on Saturday, Dec. 31 it was much busier where 89 volunteers, including 24 road teams delivered 172 safe rides home, travelling 4,142 km.

Comparatively, in 2015 they provided 209 rides. Their best-ever night for New Year’s Eve was 2010 when 35 teams provided 273 rides.

Due to only 24 teams on New Year’s Eve, they chose to stay within city limits with some discretion. However there were still wait times of up to an hour, especially after midnight due to the high volume of calls. Most clients patiently awaited for Operation Red Nose drivers to arrive and we ensured that those who didn’t, also got home safely. 

The overall 872 rides marks the first time in seven years that they have not surpassed the 1,000-ride total in a season.

The last time Operation Red Nose provided less than 1,000 rides occurred in 2009 when they provided 796 rides. 

In 2010 and 2014, they delivered a record number 1,123 rides.

Even though they did not reach the 1,000 ride mark, organizers are very happy with how 2016 unfolded. Forty-five per cent of the volunteers this year were new. 

Operation Red Nose will recognize our volunteers and sponsors at their annual appreciation dinner on Jan. 14 at ICBC. 

Operation Red Nose Prince George is organized by the Rotary Club of Prince George Nechako in partnership with ICBC and the RCMP.