Diamond North Credit Union was among this year's monetary sponsors. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Safer communities

PA Operation Red Nose delivers 347 people safely home

Jan 3, 2025 | 12:00 PM

After another busy year, that saw an increase in per day use, volunteers with the Prince Albert Operation Red Nose campaign are enjoying some well-deserved rest.

In its 12th year in Prince Albert and area, 347 people were delivered safely home with their vehicles over the holiday season.

Operating over nine nights (11 in 2023), 148 rides (170 in 2023) were provided to people that felt it was safer to have someone chauffeur them home.

Carlton Honda. (Facebook)

Locally, 24 volunteers devoted over 611 hours (850 in 2023) during the season to keep the city streets safer. The volunteers drove 2,267 km.(2,555 in 2023) delivering people and their vehicles home.

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The people who were provided with rides, responded with generosity, donating $4,200 ($3,582 in 2023). These funds will be donated to elementary schools in Prince Albert and area to assist with youth programs.

According to a press release issued to the media on Friday, total numbers were a bit lower this year as they operated two fewer days, but on average there was a slight increase in per day use.

Cornerstone Insurance. (Facebook/ Operation Red Nose)

“The Prince Albert Lions Club and Operation Red Nose would like to thank the volunteers and especially the local businesses that assisted in sponsoring the program. While our 24 dedicated volunteers helped people get safely home, with additional volunteers we would be able to help even more. Please consider serving your community next year,” the statement said.

Local car dealers provided their shuttles to use as escort vehicles, pizza places provided food to keep the volunteers well fed, donut shops provided coffee and donuts to keep them awake over the long nights and a hotel for provided us with a headquarters this year. Businesses also provided printing services for posters and business cards and media helped advertise the program. Other businesses provided cash donations to assist with program expenses. Without this support it would very difficult to help keep city streets safe.

Provincially, 337 volunteers participated in this holiday tradition, providing 458 safe rides. And Canada-wide, the campaign strengthened road safety in nearly 70 regions. Nearly 24,000 volunteers travelled Canadian roads to provide 26,935 safe rides.

panews@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @princealbertnow