Prince George, B.C. – Operation Red Nose kicked off its 19^th season of providing safe rides home to party-goers in Prince George this weekend.

Spokesperson Andrea Johnson says a total of 113 rides were provided Friday and Saturday. Friday night 16 teams provided 46 rides and delivered vehicles to their owners’ homes. They travelled a total of 1,471 kilometres. 61 volunteers worked Friday night.

On Saturday 53 volunteers helped the cause. Thirteen teams provided 67 rides, covering a total of 2,036 kilometres.

Johnson says Operation Red Nose has 190 volunteers so far but, with things expected to get busier the closer we get to Christmas and New Year, more people are needed. You can register at www.ornpg.ca and must be 19 or older and have a valid driver’s licence.

The free service will be offered December 5^th and 6^th, 12^th and 13^th, 19^th and 20^th and on New Year’s Eve.

The seasonal Operation Red Nose service is organized by the Rotary Club of Prince George-Nechako in conjunction with the RCMP and ICBC.   On the nights that it is in effect, you can call 250-962-RIDE (7433) between 9 pm and 3 am.

Operation Red Nose provided 1008 safe rides last year and is expecting this winter to break the 10,000 mark for the seventeen seasons it has been operating in Prince George.