Operation Red Nose still needs volunteers

Operation Red Nose Winnipeg says it remains short of the volunteers needed for New Year’s Eve.

The free, volunteer-run holiday driver service announced late last month that it had fewer than one third of the 600 volunteers needed to launch on Nov. 28. It remains two-thirds short of the drivers and navigators needed to handle expected calls Wednesday night and Thursday morning, a Monday news release said.

“We’re at urgent need levels,” spokesperson Elisha Dacey said in the release. “We’re hoping that if you haven’t made any plans for celebrating, that you’ll help us out so that this year doesn’t end in tragedy.”

Operation Red Nose has about 10 three-person drive teams signed up for New Year’s Eve, which is the service’s busiest night of the year. Another 20 teams are needed for that night.

“You don’t need to put together a team yourself — we can put people into groups. And you don’t need to have a driver’s licence… navigators don’t drive,” Dacey said. “You just need to have the willingness to have some fun and keep people safe.”

Drivers are reimbursed for the gas used by escort vehicles, and dinner is served to all volunteers before they hit the streets.

To volunteer, go online or email volunteer@rednosewinnipeg.ca.