Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight

Winnipeg

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE

No matter how you aim to spend your holidays, a December staple is returning to assure that you will always a safe ride home.

From Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, Operation Red Nose will once again be active in Winnipeg, as well as rural residential areas such as Portage la Prairie. The free, volunteer-operated rideshare works as a resource for those who may not feel fit to drive at any point during the busy, party-heavy holiday season. As opposed to an Uber or a cab, volunteers will not only get drivers and their passengers home safely, they will also get their vehicles home. And there’s no cost.

While Safety Services Manitoba provides guidance and support as the program’s provincial host, Operation Red Nose remains afloat due to its volunteers, who fall into one of four different categories: escort drivers, designated drivers, navigators, and headquarters staff.

The program is supported by donations and sponsors and operates across the country — its home province being Quebec.

“Operation Red Nose has proven to be a meaningful holiday service time and time again,” said Ron Janzen, president and CEO of Safety Services Manitoba. He added, thanks to volunteers and donations, the program helps support youth sports initiatives around the province.

“As we’re likely all aware, running a program like Operation Red Nose takes the time and effort of many dedicated people,” he said. “Each community has a host organization and that organization requires a dedicated team of volunteers to deliver the program … plus, volunteering for (ORN) is a fun way to give back to the community and meet some very interesting new people.”

“We extend our gratitude to the outstanding volunteers and to all who support this noble cause,” he said.

Those interested in registering to volunteer in Winnipeg must undergo criminal record checks with the Winnipeg Police Service, which must be printed and on their person on the night they volunteer. Once their record check is submitted, they can choose when they’ll be free to take part.

Drive nights begin with a training session on-site at Safety Services Manitoba (1680 Notre Dame Ave.) at 7:30 p.m. (each evening). Telephone operators will then take calls from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The safe ride service operates with three people (the ‘road team’) — an escort driver, a designated driver, and a navigator, who communicate via cellphone or radio. Escort drivers use their own vehicles to take the rest of their team to meet a participant, and the designated driver takes the wheel of the vehicle the team is then tasked to take home.

During the 2024 holiday season, 1,418 Operation Red Nose volunteers gave 2,210 rides in eight communities across Manitoba, raising just under $50,000 for a variety of youth organizations.

To learn more, visit rednosewinnipeg.ca/volunteers