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.
鈥淸I] wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect,鈥� said Ron Hanishewsky, the Chairperson for ORN Yorkton. 鈥淸But] everything ran really well.鈥�
The Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Yorkton hosted ORN this year. They鈥檝e offered 鈥渟afe ride鈥� programs before, but 2017 was their first year under the official ORN banner.
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy for our first year,鈥� 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.
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy with the community support,鈥� Hanishewsky said. 鈥淸We鈥檙e] thankful for their donations.鈥�
Hanishewsky was pleased with the volunteers鈥� work and the positive response the program received.
鈥淓verybody was very appreciative,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey had a social time without worrying about driving.
鈥淸I鈥檓] happy they got to use the service.鈥�
Hanishewsky plans to bring ORN back to Yorkton and expand its reach and usage.
