Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the name Operation Red Nose come from?
Can anyone call Operation Red Nose?
How many volunteers does Operation Red Nose need to operate?
What does Operation Red Nose charge for rides?
What specific Manitoba organizations benefit from the donations?
Is the service confidential?
Where did the name Operation Red Nose come from?
While you might think it's all about Rudolph, Operation Red Nose actually takes its name from an annual winter military exercise practiced by the Canadian Armed Forces in Quebec! The exercise was named Operation Red Nose because the cold weather resulted in a lot of red noses. However, the name was a perfect fit for the province's newly developed designated driver program, and the Canadian Armed Forced gave their permission to use it.
Can anyone call Operation Red Nose?
Operation Red Nose isn't a taxi service. It's a unique program that gets both vehicles and drivers home safely. So while anyone can call, you must have a vehicle in order to get a ride. You also need to wear seat belts so if you have more passengers than seat belts, someone will be staying behind.
How many volunteers does Operation Red Nose need to operate?
It's a case of, “the more, the merrier.” We have a dedicated group of 600 – 700 fantastic volunteers who help keep Operation Red Nose running. However, it's a popular program. The more people that call for rides, the more help we can use to make sure no one is kept waiting for long. If you have an evening to spare and a valid driver's license, we'd love to have you on our team!
What does Operation Red Nose charge for rides?
In a word: nothing. Operation Red Nose Sponsors cover the program's basic operating costs and our many generous volunteers donate their time. However, donations are definitely accepted, and all proceeds go toward supporting sports programs for Manitoba youth.
What specific Manitoba organizations benefit from the donations?
It varies from location to location. For a complete list, return to our Operation Red Nose home page and look at the logos for the Local Host Organizations.
Absolutely! All volunteers sign a form agreeing not to provide any information that might be used to identify a client, their passengers or their addresses. So don't let worries about discretion drive you away.
