Operation Red Nose gearing up to launch 30th season in Kamloops

Since 1997, Operation Red Nose has helped raise nearly $700,000 for PacificSport Interior BC. That money has helped support hundreds of amateur local athletes and coaches pursue excellence in the sports they love.

“We’ve got great, great athletes. This is a sporting town and let me tell you, they are very appreciative of all of the support that Red Nose actually provides them,” Carolynn Boomer, the executive director, PacificSport Interior BC, told CFJC.

Boomer estimates Operation Red Nose has provided nearly 23,000 rides in Kamloops since the service first took to the streets. She noted with an average of roughly three people per vehicle, volunteers have helped over 68,000 people get home safely.

“Operation Red Nose is such a win-win for our community,” Boomer added. “It’s not only about the money and the safe rides home, it’s also about the volunteers who are giving their time and kindness as they’re willing to go out and provide these rides.”

Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley said programs like Operation Red Nose are essential as it provides another option for people to not drive while impaired.

“Impaired driving is one of the most preventable causes of serious injury or death on our roadways despite ongoing education and enforcement efforts,” Pelley said. “During our last quarter, our officers removed 43 impaired drivers from the roadway.”

“The value of this program cannot be measured in just the number of rides provided or dollars raised, you can’t put a price on the countless lives that obviously are saved here.”

Ingrid Brakop, road safety and community coordinator with ICBC, agreed and said it’s unfortunate that people are still choosing to drive impaired, whether its by alcohol, drugs, or even fatigue.

“People have lots of options and Operation Red Nose is an excellent opportunity for drivers to plan for a safe ride home,” Brakop said. “It can be all levels of impairment. Even if you’ve worked a double shift or you’re feeling very tired, you can give Operation Red Nose a call so you and your vehicle can get home safely.”

This year, Operation Red Nose hopes to provide at least 400 rides across Kamloops, as Sweet said they fell just short last year. However, he noted they’re still in need of volunteers so that goal to become a reality.

“We’re a little behind in terms of where we’d like to be for volunteers, so even if you’re only able to do one night, we encourage you to do it,” Sweet said. “We don’t have any minimums or anything. It all helps provide rides.”

Once the service has launched, you can call 250-372-5110 to book a ride. For information and details outside of the operational period, 250-320-0650.

More information on how you can volunteer can also be found here.

Carolynn Boomer Honoured

This will be Boomer’s last Operation Red Nose at the helm of PacificSport Interior BC as she will be retiring from the organization she founded back in 1995. She’s been executive director since then, and plans to step away in February next year.

Marie-Chantal Fortin, national development coordinator for Operation Red Nose, announced Thursday (Nov. 12), that Boomer was being inducted into the Operation Red Nose Hall of Fame.

“After 30 incredible years of involvement, your name will now join the short and prestigious list of exceptional volunteers who have left a lasting mark on the history of Operation Red Nose across Canada,” Fortin said to Boomer, before presenting her with a commemorative red vest.

“Thank you for your outstanding commitment to your community. Thank you for the time and energy you have given so generously and thank you for believing year after year in what we can accomplish together.”

“It’s very humbling,” Boomer said when asked about the recognition. “It’s never one person it’s been about the team. We were a young organization at the time in 1997 when we took this on, and we were really looking for ways that would act as a fundraiser as well for the organization.”

“This came into our hands and like I said its a win-win for Kamloops.”

Carolynn Boomer being presented a commemorative red vest on Nov. 12, 2026. (Image Credit: Jeremy Russo/CFJC Today)

by Victor Kaisar

Operation Red Nose gearing up to launch 30th season in Kamloops

Carolynn Boomer Honoured

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