Operation Red Nose gearing up for busy holiday season

Cold Lake residents will have another option this holiday season so they won’t drink and drive.

Operation Red Nose is back for its 8th year of service.

Starting on Fri. Nov. 30, you can call the Operation Red Nose hotline between 9pm-3am and volunteers come to your location and give you a ride home. They also drive your vehicle home for free.

“We’re almost ready to go,” said Dave Zimmerman, program manager of Cold Lake Victim Services.

They are operating every weekend from Nov. 30th onward. That makes nine nights of operation, with New Years Eve included.

They are looking for volunteers to help drive people home, and so far Zimmerman says it’s been steady. Those who sign-up can choose to work as few as one shift, or work them all.

“We’ve had some excellent volunteers, some even in the past who’ve done it every night,” he said.

This is the last year Cold Lake Victim Services is running the service, and is looking to pass the reigns over to a new volunteers because they are “swamped” with calls.

“It would be so good to have someone as soon as possible. Just to show them how the whole operation works.” said Zimmerman.

Last year, Operation Red Nose had the most calls they’ve ever received at 341, ten more than in 2016.

The impaired driving cases over that time was only four, Zimmerman says.

The Operation Red Nose hotline is 780-812-5880.

If you’re hosting a party, you can contact Zimmerman beforehand to make arrangements.

The team is looking for more sponsors as well. Those who want to donate can contact Zimmerman at 780-594-3302-ext 3.