Operation Red Nose is celebrating its 16th year in Delta and Richmond with an official kick-off next week.
The public is welcome to attend an event on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Delta Sport Development Centre in Ladner to celebrate the holiday designated driving service along with dignitaries, the media, gymnastics displays and a visit from Rudy, the Operation Red Nose mascot.
“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 Delta Gymnastics executive director 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 licence. They can be part of a road team of three or work behind the scenes answering phones.
Applications, which include a criminal record check form, are now available online at www.operationrednosedelta.com. Volunteers can print and fill it out and take it along with their driver’s licence to police headquarters.
The free, seasonal service, organized by Delta Gymnastics Society in partnership with ICBC, Delta police and Richmond RCMP, allows party-goers to not only get themselves home safely, but their vehicles too. The service will be available on nine nights during the holiday season.
The safe ride home service is free and any donations received from clients stay 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 Nov 25, Dec. 1 and 2, Dec. 8 and 9, Dec. 15 and 16, and New Year’s Eve.
In 2016, Operation Red Nose Delta-Richmond delivered 487 safe rides home over nine nights.
Operation Red Nose will hold an information night on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Delta Sport Development Centre for those who would like to learn more about the program.
