The number of Operation Red Nose (ORN) rides went up - and the donations went way up - with the help of 275 volunteers who ensured more than 1,000 people got home safely over the holiday season.
Volunteers provided 1,011 rides over nine nights in late November and December, including New Year's Eve, which was up from 936 in 2013. Donations jumped 19% from $27,600 to $32,940.
"We're very happy with the increase in the number of rides, especially the increase in the average donation," said program co-ordinator Chris Wilson, noting it was their busiest year yet since starting Operation Red Nose in 2007.
Wilson said the group has worked hard to promote ORN both to volunteers and to the community to use the service.
"I think there's better awareness of the program, how it works and that the donations go to KidSport. We also provided rides for a number of Christmas parties and many of the companies were very generous too."
Sponsorships from Metropolis at Metrotown and the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver meant all of ORN's costs were covered, ensuring 100% of the donations went to KidSport. Money raised this year will mean about 150 low-income kids will be able to participate in sports.
Wilson said just two of the nine nights were short on volunteers, resulting in longer waits "and some pretty frustrated customers."
New Year's Eve was once again the busiest night of the season, with 34 teams of three people each on duty to provide 180 rides.
"We probably could have used a few more but they did an amazing job to handle the demand," Wilson said. Demand on New Year's is almost entirely from 12:30 to about 4 a.m. while on other nights it's spread out from about 9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
"The people we meet with are very interesting, and they're extremely appreciative," Wilson said, noting 59 people volunteered just for New Year's Eve. "They can't believe people are giving up their New Year's to drive them home."
The next busiest night was on Dec. 13, when ORN drivers gave 153 rides over a six-hour span.
The local ORN chapter serves the Tri-Cities, Burnaby and New Westminster and is now the largest in Metro Vancouver and the third-largest in B.C., behind Kamloops and Prince George.
Anyone interested in volunteer or sponsorship opportunities can contact [email protected].
@spayneTC
