What are you doing this New Year’s Eve? Whether you are celebrating or not doing much, Operation Red Nose has something to offer both!
“If you are celebrating, we encourage you to call us and book a ride to take you and your vehicle safely back home,” said Carlene Lewall, coordinator of Operation Red Nose Delta-Richmond. “The service is open that night between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. and we recommend you call 30 to 45 minutes in advance of your desired pick-up time.”
Operation Red Nose Delta-Richmond is preparing for the final night of the year and volunteers are still needed.
“If you don’t have a lot planned, we invite you to consider volunteering and celebrating New Year’s Eve in grand style with a fabulous dinner and with a finale where fireworks are replaced by stories,” added Lewall. “People are so happy after their parties that they share the stories of what they did and who they were with – volunteers are thanked profusely and enthusiastically... it is a fun fun night to drive!”
The service is easy to use. Clients call ORN at 604-943-0460 to arrange a ride. Clients’ must have a vehicle to use and donations or tips are greatly appreciated, but not required. All proceeds are directed to amateur sport to benefit children and youth in Delta and Richmond.
While ORN operates in the Delta/Richmond area, transfers can be arranged to and from other ORN regions allowing you to get home to all areas of the Lower Mainland except Vancouver. If you will be partying in Vancouver we encourage you to take the Canada Line and we can meet you at your car.
New this year is an app that you can download and it will allow you to just push ‘call’ and will connect you to the Operation Red Nose in the area you are located.
With eight of the nine nights completed, Delta-Richmond has provided close to 500 rides with 333 volunteers participating. Navigators and escort drivers must be 19 years old or older, and designated drivers must be 21 or older.
“We have already received feedback of great stories from this year,” added Lewall. “Our MP, Carla Qualtrough, was a navigator one night and as she knocked on a client’s door to pick them up– they recognized her and the whole party started clapping and congratulating her. Needless to say, it was a great night for her and her team.”
The organizers are putting a call out to those who have volunteered in the past or people interested in becoming involved. If you are interested in becoming part of the ORN team, you can visit operationrednosedelta.com/volunteer-information or you can contact 604-943-0460.
