Red Nose volunteers finished the season on a slower note on New Year’s Eve compared to the hectic pace of previous nights.
Rudy’s little helpers gave 105 rides and took more than 205 people to their destinations on Dec. 31.
Grace Bell, Operation Red Nose coordinator, said the night was also slower than previous years and there weren’t as many volunteers to offer rides.
The designated driver service has operated in Nanaimo for 16 years and nationally for 28 years.
Overall, numbers were up, but Bell said that’s most likely due to Red Nose offering two more nights of service as result of how the days lined up on the calendar.
This season, the program gave 728 rides, safely driving 1,633 people to their destinations, covering 17,272 kilometres between Ladysmith and Lantzville.
Passengers donated $14,697 to support Pacific Sport’s camps for children and youth, leadership programs in elementary schools and athlete services.
Bell said volunteers are integral to Red Nose and she is impressed with how many came back nightly to help. There was a mix of ages among the 354 volunteers, she added.
“It was impressive how many people were giving up their time,” said Bell.
She said passengers are appreciative of the service.
“Everybody is just really, really grateful this is here and by donation,” said Bell. “They are thankful there are people that are doing this.”
reporter3@nanaimobulletin.com