Operation Red Nose launches 17th season in British Columbia with addition of two new Lower Mainland cities for December 2012!

METROPOLIS AT METROTOWN IN BURNABY, BC, Nov. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - With the help of red-vested volunteers driving throughout BC, Operation Red Nose and Provincial Sponsor ICBC are ready to make roads safer in more than 25 communities this holiday season beginning on Friday, November 30 and continuing on December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and New Year's Eve.

This year, Operation Red Nose BC is thrilled to announce that volunteer rides will be offered for the first time in Burnaby and New Westminster, thanks to the organizing committee for Tri-Cities ORN.  The Tri-Cities team will be partnering with local volunteers, KidSport and exciting new ORN sponsors like Metropolis at Metrotown to finally make expansion happen in these two key Lower Mainland communities.

Celebrating 17 years in BC, a total of 14 ORN host groups will be taking impaired drivers home in their own vehicles in more than 25 communities around the province. ORN service is provided entirely by volunteers and all donations go directly to non-profit organizations that support youth and/or amateur sports in local communities. "Every year youth groups receive more than $1.3 million from ORN across Canada," says 2012 Burnaby, New West and Tri-Cities Chair Chris Wilson. "We make a huge difference by preventing tragedy on our roads and enriching the lives of kids across the province".

Volunteers: the heart and soul of Operation Red Nose
Operation Red Nose relies solely on volunteers who care about their communities and want to help and have a little fun during the holiday season. Last year, 4,241 volunteers provided 7,716 rides with 12 host groups serving more than 23 communities in BC - and they drove 188,000 kilometers to help people get themselves and their vehicles home safely. After starting with just two host groups back in 1996, ORN continued to grow and it has now provided a total of 57,504 safe rides home in BC.

ICBC: Provincial Sponsor
As a proud partner since Operation Red Nose began in BC, ICBC provides vehicle insurance to protect ORN volunteers and their passengers; produces promotional materials for the annual campaigns; and encourages employees to volunteer for ORN in their communities. "We're proud to support a remarkable community initiative like Operation Red Nose because we know that our roads are safer thanks to this program and its many dedicated volunteers," said Jill Blacklock, ICBC's road safety manager. "We want everyone to enjoy the holiday season with friends and family - have a great time and make sure you plan ahead for a safe ride home by calling ORN."

Follow us on Twitter:
Operation Red Nose began using Twitter @ORNose last year to connect with volunteers, clients, partners and local host organizations - and it will continue "tweeting" messages with less than 140 characters to provide real time information on its service and activities again this year.

Operation Red Nose across Canada:
Founded in 1984 by Jean-Marie De Koninck, Operation Red Nose is a national road safety campaign against impaired driving. This year is the largest Operation Red Nose campaign to date, with service available in 109 host communities and seven provinces from coast to coast. Last year, a total of 58,683 volunteers provided 85,926 rides to get drivers and their vehicles home safely during the holiday season in Canada.

To become a 2012 Operation Red Nose Volunteer visit www.operationnezrouge.com/en

Call 1-877-604-NOSE (6673) for a ride on Nov. 30 or Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and 31 in the following BC host communities:

Abbotsford/Mission; Burnaby; Chilliwack; Comox; Delta/Richmond; Kamloops; Langley/Surrey; Nanaimo; New Westminster; North Shore; Prince George; Ridge Meadows; Tri-Cities; Williams Lake

SOURCE: ICBC

Media Contact: Chris Wilson, Operation Red Nose, 604-341-0241