For the seventh year in a row Operation Red Nose will be active in Saskatchewan, providing safe rides home for people during the holiday season.
Operation Red Nose held its official provincial launch in Regina Thursday.
The service operates in Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon and in the Battlefords, which was the first community in the province to launch Operation Red Nose in 2009.
Across Canada, this will be the 32nd season for Operation Red Nose, which runs from Nov. 27 to Dec. 31. It is estimated more than 50,000 volunteers will be participating all over the country in more than 104 communities.
Operation Red Nose is also a major fundraiser for local youth and amateur sport organizations with $1.5 million in client donations raised last year.
For this campaign, they are inviting everyone to get “home safe” by either calling upon its services or taking part as a volunteer.
The initiative is sponsored provincially by SGI, who encourage people to use Operation Red Nose as an alternative to drinking and driving.
“Imagine not having your loved ones around this holiday season because they or someone else chose to drive impaired. Whether it’s your spouse, child, family member or friend, there’s someone who is depending on you to make it home safely,” said Don McMorris, minister responsible for SGI, in a statement.
“SGI is once again proud to sponsor Operation Red Nose in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and the Battlefords with the goal of ensuring we all make it home for the holidays this year.”
A website is again set up for people to sign up and get more information.
In addition, Operation Red Nose is launching a mobile application for Apple and Android phones to allow users to quickly find the phone number of the Operation Red Nose organization closest to them, along with operating hours. You can also set up an alarm as a reminder to call Operation Red Nose for a safe ride home.
The 2015 campaign will include a milestone for the national organization as it will reach its two-millionth ride Nov 28.
“This accomplishment would never have been possible without the participation of some 1,100,000 volunteers whom, through the years, have contributed to improving road safety in their community,” declared Jean-Marie De Koninck, founding president of Operation Red Nose, in a statement.
“Their relentless commitment to road safety has been the foundation of Operation Red Nose’s success since the beginning.”
