UNION COUNTY — A program that’s helped more than 100,000 people get home safely over the last 24 years was recognized during the 89th annual Union County Chamber Awards Banquet.

The Loveland Safe Ride program won the Service Organization of the Year award and Jerry Hopkins took home the Citizen of the Year award for his efforts with the program.

Kevin Loveland, the owner of Loveland Funeral Chapel, La Grande, started the Safe Ride program in 2001 by offering free rides on New Year’s Eve. The program has since grown to provide rides home from holidays and events, such as rodeos, graduation celebrations and banquets, where people often celebrate with alcohol.

The program surpassed 100,000 rides in 2021 during the Elgin Stampede and the number has only continued to grow since then.

Loveland started the program in honor of his friend Brett Marten, who died in an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident in 1997 in Montana. He credits Hopkins for much of the success of the Safe Ride program.

Hopkins, who is the lead driver and program coordinator, has managed the program almost from the first day. He works with several volunteer drivers to ensure there are free rides from the major events in the county where alcohol is served.

The program also receives support from the Union County District Attorney’s Office, Legacy Ford, Goss Motor Company, The Other Guys and Legacy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

The other 2025 winners announced at the banquet were:

Mama Lank’s Bake Shoppe for Artisan of the Year
Birddog Glass Studio for Patron of the Arts Award
Perky’s Play Cafe for Upcoming Business of the Year
Liberty Theatre Cafe for Culinary Business of the Year
Megan Sofe with the Union School District for Educator of the Year
Elkhorn Media Group for Business of the Year