Despite a rocky start, Operation Red Nose will be there this holiday season to get people and their vehicles home safely in eight Manitoba communities.

The volunteer-run organization launched its 2024 campaign in Winnipeg on Friday.

This year, Opération Nez Rouge will offer walks from November 29 to December 31 in Flin Flon, Gimli, Portage la Prairie, La Broquerie/Steinbach, Saint-Malo, Le Pas and Thompson.

“Hundreds of volunteers, along with provincial and local sponsors, make this program a success year after year,” said Ron Janzen, President and CEO of Safety Services Manitoba. “Road safety, volunteering and giving back to our communities all come together. with this special holiday service.

Last week, Elisha Dacey, volunteer media liaison for Operation Red Nose, told CTV News that a significant funding gap had been filled through the generosity of Winnipeggers and that the costs of providing of the service could be covered. According to her, around $100,000 would need to be raised.

Earlier this month, Operation Red Nose announced it would not take place in Brandon this year due to a shortage of volunteers. We hope the service will return in 2025.

On the Operation Red Nose—Selkirk Facebook page, a message from November 3, 2024 indicated that the service was once again not offered to this community because no group of volunteers had come forward.

“Please make arrangements for a safe return home,” the message read.

This does not mean that a person from Selkirk who needs transportation cannot call on Operation Red Nose.

“We will do our best to arrange travel to get you home, but there may be an extended wait, or it may not be possible, depending on the number of teams we have on our roster each night” , we read in a press release from the Operation. Red Nose website. “Personal vehicle gas and mileage are also factors for our ride-hailing drivers, so please consider this with your donations when traveling to Selkirk. »

If you need a safe ride home during the holiday season between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., you can call 204-947-NOSE (6673) and a team of volunteers will come to your home for you bring you and your vehicle home. The holiday drop-off service is free, but people are welcome to make donations; the money raised is donated to community programs for young people.

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is the founding provincial sponsor of Operation Red Nose.

“Impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of death on our roads across the province,” said Satvir Jatana, President and CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance. “Through this important program, we are making responsible choices while driving easier and more accessible to ensure everyone gets home safely this season.”

Operation Red Nose said that in an average year it makes more than 4,000 safe returns home each year.