Pronghorn Athletics launch holiday safe ride program

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on November 1, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Neil Langevin, executive director of Pronghorn Athletics talks to media about their new Holiday safe ride program called Luxie Lifts Thursday at the University of Lethbridge.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Athletics announced Thursday they will be offering their own holiday safe ride program called Luxie Lifts.

Neil Langevin, executive director of Pronghorn Athletics told media Thursday they are excited to be able to give back to the community by helping them stay safe during the holiday season once again.

“This year we’re excited to launch Luxie Lifts. In addition to being a safe driving campaign for Lethbridge, Luxie Lifts ride-share service will be a fundraising activity for Pronghorn Athletics,” said Langevin.

He explained that they have been involved with a similar program for almost 30 years, but now they will be providing the service themselves.

“It was a unique program dedicated to fight against impaired driving during the Christmas holiday season, individuals who have been drinking or who do not feel fit to drive can be driven home in their very own vehicle by a team of volunteers,” said Langevin.

Taylor Penney, events manager, said that Luxie Lifts will run similarly to their previous ride service but they have expanded their scope.

“We will be operating for the public on six nights, Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 6 and 7, as well as Dec. 13 and 14 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. During these times, the public will be able to call our Luxie Lifts hotline and receive a ride home,” said Penney.

 She said three volunteers will show up at your location and take you, your guests and your car home for the evening.

 “Something that is different for the Luxie Lifts program is that we are able to service private parties. How this works is businesses and individuals hosting private parties can request the Luxie Lift service through the form on our website,” said Penney.

 She said they will confirm that their student athlete volunteers are available that evening, the party requesting the service will pay a small sponsorship fee and we receive the service.

 “If your party is on one of the six community nights, we will be able to provide the service, however, if your party falls between Nov 1 and Jan. 31 outside of those six Community Nights, we may be able to provide the Luxie Lifts service for you as well,” said Penney.

 She said the money raised through the program goes back into student athletes and their programs.

 “It goes to things like additional equipment for their training, meal money, additional exhibition travel, support of assistant coaches,” said Penney.