EDITOR’S NOTE: Organizers advise while a handful of calls from Scottsbluff locations were HONORED Friday evening, that will not be the case Saturday night, as it takes away from the organization’s mission and goal.
—————-
SAFE Ride OTD, the volunteer-fueled safety project, is again helping to keep Gering streets safe during Friday and Saturday nights of Oregon Trail Days with its free designated driving service.
Project founder Lisa Betz-Marquez is proud of the community’s safety record during the project’s years of operation. “In our 11 years of service there has never been an alcohol-related car accident in the community during Friday and Saturday nights of Oregon Trail Days. Of course, we don’t do it alone,” she said. “Law enforcement works diligently to keep us all safe.”
The service will take people to their home destination from Gering locations, no matter the reason. “We’ve given sober people rides when people have had enough of the scene, and a pregnant mother who wasn’t feeling well. Even couples appreciate having a date without one of them staying sober.”
When someone calls the hotline number (308) 633-6397, sponsored by Allo Communications, a driver is dispatched to the passenger’s location. The passenger is then driven to their home destination for the night. Drivers can take passengers anywhere in the valley.
SAFE Ride volunteer drivers use their own car, offering free rides from Gering locations on Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. SAFE Ride drivers can be identified by the window cling on their car, and by the black T-shirts with the SAFE Ride emblem on the sleeve.
Thanks to the Gering KENO committee, volunteer drivers will receive gas cards to offset their cost. Other donors this year include High Plains Beverages, Monument Inn and Suites, The Union Bar, and Pizza Hut.
The SAFE Ride OTD project is organized by Lisa Betz-Marquez and Kevin Fordyce.
