Operation Red Nose Wraps Up Another Successful Season

Once again, Operation Red Nose ensured that thousands of Manitobans arrived home safely this holiday season. Over 2500 people in eight communities across the province used the service.

“We are thankful to the nearly seventeen hundred folks who volunteered across Manitoba,” says Mike Waite, President & CEO, Safety Services Manitoba. “Together we were able to make the streets that much safer for our communities.”

Operation Red Nose is a free, volunteer-run designated driver service that operates during the holiday season. It provides motorists who do not feel fit to drive with a ride home in their own vehicle. While the service is free, donations are accepted.

“Thompson was a real success story this year,” says Waite. “They gave 247 rides compared to 189 in 2008. That’s an increase of 30 per cent, and their donations grew by the same amount.”

This past holiday season, over $43,000 was raised across the province for youth sports programs. The year also marked the 15th anniversary of Operation Red Nose operating in Manitoba.

“Our service is there throughout the holiday season only, but there are always options if someone doesn’t feel fit to drive,” says Waite. “Taking a cab, a limo, a bus or calling a friend are year-round alternatives for drivers who’ve had too much to drink.”

Read the full media release with 2009 statistics for all eight communities.

Visit the ORN website for more information.