While people popped champagne and jotted down resolutions as they ushered in 2018, volunteers with Operation Red Nose (ORN) in Yorkton escorted their final batch of customers to their homes.
The program, which helped people get home after parties and get-togethers during the busy holiday season, wrapped up on Dec. 31.
“[I] wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Ron Hanishewsky, the Chairperson for ORN Yorkton. “[But] everything ran really well.”
The Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Yorkton hosted ORN this year. They’ve offered “safe ride” programs before, but 2017 was their first year under the official ORN banner.
“We’re happy for our first year,” Hanishewsky said.
The program ran on Fridays and Saturdays for over a month. Drivers offered 157 rides during that time, traveling over 1600 km and logging over 600 volunteer hours.
ORN Yorkton raised more than $3000, which will be donated to the City of Yorkton youth programs.
“We’re happy with the community support,” Hanishewsky said. “[We’re] thankful for their donations.”
Hanishewsky was pleased with the volunteers’ work and the positive response the program received.
“Everybody was very appreciative,” he said. “They had a social time without worrying about driving.
“[I’m] happy they got to use the service.”
Hanishewsky plans to bring ORN back to Yorkton and expand its reach and usage.
