The services of Operation Red Nose (OPN) have always been just a phone call away, but this year’s inventory of phones has organizers concerned.
While Telus offers air-time to the project, the cellphones are sourced by organizers. Four dispatchers work out of the Community Policing Office in Abbotsford and place calls to road teams.
Organizer Bruce Livingston said the phones must have a battery life of eight hours. Since they have often been discarded, refurbished or traded, that can sometimes be a problem.
The availability of more cellphones expands the capacity of the Abbotsford/Mission project and builds the inventory needed for coming years.
Although Apex Communications loaned the project 30 brand-new blackberries this year, organizers are still asking the public to drop off working Telus cellphones with chargers by Nov. 16 to the following locations: PacificSport Fraser Valley, at 2499 McMillan Rd, Abbotsford Community Policing Office, at 34194 Marshall Rd, or the Abbotsford News, at 34375 Gladys Ave.
In its 16th year in Abbotsford/Mission, OPN provides free rides and as well as driving vehicles home.
Last year, there were more than 250 volunteers for Abbotsford/Mission and 842 rides were provided.
All donations are given to youth and amateur sport foundations.
OPN operates from Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 and Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
For more information call 604-746-0601.
For a ride call 604-864-4814, or toll free at 1-877-604-NOSE.