Despite a shaky start, Operation Red Nose will be there this holiday season to give people and their vehicles a safe ride home in eight Manitoba communities.

On Friday, the volunteer-led organization launched its 2024 campaign in Winnipeg.

This year, Operation Red Nose will offer rides between November 29 and December 31 in Flin Flon, Gimli, Portage la Prairie, La Broquerie/Steinbach, Saint-Malo, The Pas and Thompson.

“Hundreds of volunteers, along with provincial and local sponsors, make delivering this program a success year after year,” said Ron Janzen, President and CEO of Safety Services Manitoba. “Road safety, volunteering and giving back to our communities come together. with this special holiday service.”

Last week, Operation Red Nose volunteer media liaison Elisha Dacey told CTV News that a major funding gap has been filled through the generosity of Winnipeggers and that the costs of providing the service could be covered. She said about $100,000 needed to be raised.

Earlier this month, Operation Red Nose announced it was not running in Brandon this year due to a lack of volunteers. The hope is that the service will return in 2025.

On the Operation Red Nose—Selkirk Facebook page, a post dated Nov. 3, 2024, said the service is not being offered again to this community because no volunteer group has come forward.

“Please make arrangements for a safe trip home,” the post read.

It doesn’t mean that someone in Selkirk who needs a ride can’t call on Operation Red Nose.

“We will do our best to accommodate the races to get you home, but it may be an extended wait or it may not be possible depending on how many teams we have on our roster each night,” read a statement about the Operation. Red Nose website. “Gas and mileage on personal vehicles are also factors for our escort drivers, so please consider this with donations when traveling to Selkirk.”

If you need a safe ride home this holiday season between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM, you can call 204-947-NOSE (6673) and a team of volunteers will come to you. to take you and your vehicle home. The holiday home ride service is free, but people are asked to make a donation; money raised is donated to community youth programs.

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is the founding provincial sponsor of Operation Red Nose.

“Impaired driving continues to be one of the leading causes of death on our roads across the province,” said Satvir Jatana, President and CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance. “Through this important program, we’re making responsible driving choices easier and more accessible to ensure everyone gets home safely this season.”

Operation Red Nose said on average it provides more than 4,000 safe rides home each year.