Cold Lake Operation Red Nose drove its last safe ride of the season this past weekend and is proud to announce that the service gave 204 safe rides home in the City. Operation Red Nose strives to help eliminating drinking and driving during the holiday season, as well as, promote safe practices when consuming alcohol. The operation was successful thanks to 119 volunteers, over nine evenings.

In its fifth year of operation, the service famous for providing a safe ride home for you and your car at no cost, traveled over 3,861 kms over the six week period. The service works in teams of three, one person to operate the pilot, volunteer, vehicle, another to operate the rider’s vehicle and a third to chaperone the safe ride home. There were 35 teams of three through the season.

Operation Red Nose is ran through Victim Services in Cold Lake and requires a large volunteer base beyond those needed to operate the vehicles. More volunteers are needed to dispatch and receive phone calls.

Operation Red Nose thanks all 119 volunteers, as well as, benefactors who donated fuel and food cards for volunteers and promotional material for the program.  Although the service is free of charge, many leave donations. In 2015, $4740.90 was raised through donations, that will go to help out children victims of crime or tragedy.