Prince George, B.C. – Operation Red Nose launches its annual service this weekend with swarms of volunteers at the ready Friday and Saturday night.

Party-goers needing a safe ride home can call 250-962-RIDE (7433) and a team of volunteers will not only pick them up, but drive their vehicle home as well.

“We’ll have between 16 to 20 teams out on the road each night between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.,” said Operation Red Nose spokesperson Andrea Johnson. “That should allow us to keep up with the demand we expect on opening weekend. Last year, we delivered 46 rides on night one and another 67 on night two

As of Wednesday, 168 people have signed on to volunteer in 2015, and at least 150 more are needed to meet the expected demand for rides, said Johnson.

“While it’s too late to apply for this weekend, volunteers must be 19 years old, have a valid driver’s license and undergo a Criminal Record Check, can simply apply online for the remaining seven nights at www.ornpg.ca,” said Johnson. “They can then print off the application (which includes the Criminal Record Check form) and drop it off at the Community Policing office at the Prince George RCMP detachment on Victoria Street.”

Volunteer positions include escort drivers, navigators and designated drivers or they can answer clients’ calls inside headquarters at the ICBC claims centre.

Red Nose is available on nine nights during the holiday season: this weekend, Dec. 4 and 5, Dec. 11 and 12, Dec. 18 and 19 and New Year’s Eve.

Last year Operation Red Nose provided 1,123 safe rides home which ranked Prince George second overall out of 13 communities in B.C.

For more information on how to volunteer call Karen Toombs at 250-961-6465.