Operation Red Nose has wrapped up another year of safe rides home for revellers in the Battlefords.
It was a "very successful year,” said Bill Bowman of North Battleford Lions Club at the campaign wrap-up event at the Lions Club hall Wednesday.
In all, Operation Red Nose provided 224 rides in the Battlefords this season. In Saskatchewan, 921 were driven home.
Locally, 34 volunteers took part, with a total of 688 hours of driving recorded and 90 hours spent making calls for corporate donations and sponsorships.
The North Battleford Lions Club launched the Operation Red Nose campaign seven years ago and Bowman said it has evolved from a Lions project into a "community" project.
Volunteers included eight from the local Lions clubs, five from KidSport and 21 from the general community.
Bowman thanked the City of North Battleford and RCMP for doing the criminal record checks, major sponsor SGI for the posters, as well as the 88 corporate sponsors and others who supported the campaign.
Gold Eagle Casino was also recognized for their help. They provided volunteers and two vehicles to the effort and Kihiw Restaurant provided a meal of wings and ribs for the volunteers.
The safe rides home were provided free of charge. Also as part of the annual effort, Operation Red Nose raises funds going to amateur youth sports.
For the second year in a row proceeds from the local fundraising efforts went to KidSport, with their representative David Schell accepting a cheque for $13,356.
The money will go towards KidSport's efforts to help kids participate in various sports in the community.
Schell was happy not only to accept the donation, but also took part directly along with four other KidSport volunteers. He helped drive people home and was also able to talk to those clients about KidSport.
"I figured I'd better have some skin in the game if I was to get this kind of donation," said Schell.
He told reporters the money raised will mean more local youth will be able to participate in various sports. Approximately 300 youth are assisted by KidSport and about $75,000 was paid out in 2015.
"A $13,000 donation will go a long way to help local youth," said Schell.
Nationally, this was the 32nd year for Operation Red Nose who drove 81,612 motorists safely home in 104 communities across Canada. The national organization marked a milestone by providing its two-millionth ride Nov. 28.
Now, the volunteers are looking forward to the next Operation Red Nose campaign in the Battlefords. It was confirmed KidSport will be back on board for that campaign, which starts Nov. 25, 2016.
