Operation Red Nose's opening weekend was a success but program organizer Chris Wilson said more people need to take advantage of the service.
Volunteers who provide free rides to those who have over-indulged at a bar or Christmas party this holiday drove 46 trips last weekend, covering 1,339 km over two nights.
And Wilson said there are enough volunteer drivers to handle an even higher call volume and hopes more people use the service again this weekend.
"There were a few slow times - between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. or so - but between 12 and 3 a.m., we were pretty busy,'" he said. "We're really hoping to be able to beat the number of rides we provided last year."
A driver who calls Operation Red Nose will be driven home in their own vehicle by a volunteer driver. The client and driver are accompanied by a navigator in the client's car and an escort volunteer driver follows behind in their own vehicle.
The service is free of charge but a donation to the program is suggested.
Operation Red Nose was first launched in 1984 in Quebec and has since spread across the country. Today, more than 50,000 volunteers participate in the program, making sure thousands of holiday revellers get home safely during the Christmas season.
The Tri-City service covers Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. It is free.
Those who wish to take advantage of the service locally can call 1-877-604-NOSE (6673) for a ride. To become a volunteer, email [email protected] or call 604-941-8606 or 604-341-0241. For more information and an application form. go to www.operationrednose.com.
