Gearing up to give Sudbury revellers safe ride home during holiday season

Safe Ride Home Sudbury wantsto helpget people home safely after they've been drinking.

The organization will provide transportation around the holiday seasonfor those in Sudbury, Ont., who want to celebrate with alcoholic drinks, without worrying about how they'll get home at the end of the night.

Safe Ride Home is taking over the service from Operation Red Nose. The latter is anational campaign which operates in the final six weeks of each year, when most holiday parties are held.That service has operated inSudbury since 1999.

The same team of people will help operate Safe Ride Home Sudbury says presidentLesliGreen.Adding that theywill now have more flexibility to better serve the community.

"This was a very carefully thought out decision," Green says.

"Even though I admire the affiliation of [Operation Red Nose] over the last 18 years, you have to recognize that our organization is powered by more than a brand name. It's really driven by the people in our community."

Community supports the change

Green says Safe Ride Home Sudbury will be spending the next few months spreading awareness about the service, its new name and its new logo.

There is also anew phone number for users: 705-675-CALL (2255).

The organization will continue to have support fromcommunity partners like Cambrian Ford, Tim Hortons and the Greater Sudbury Police Services.

"All of our sponsors completely and wholly support usand...I'm very proud of that fact," Green says."We've got very loyal sponsors, and we've got partnerships that have been there for 18 years."

She adds the same goes for thevolunteers.

"We've got a very dedicated group of volunteers in this community, very selfless people."