Operation Red Nose kicks off 22nd Kamloops campaign

Nov 8, 2018 | 3:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — The 2018 campaign for Operation Red Nose kicked off in Kamloops with a sports-themed launch event. 

The designated driving service provides a way home for holiday party-goers and their vehicles. 

“It’s a fantastic service,” said Ingrid Brakop, road safety and community coordinator for ICBC. “It’s a great community opportunity to celebrate a safe and happy holiday season within our community.”

The service is provided by donation, with all proceeds going to Pacific Sport Interior BC, which provides programs and services for local athletes. 

“To date we have given out $273,000 to athletes, the bank of mom and dad we lovingly refer to them as, to support their national travel to competition nationally,” said Pacific Sport Interior Executive Director Carolynn Boomer. “As well, almost $56,000 has gone to affiliated coaches for their professional development certification as well as if they went to nationals as well.” 

Every holiday season for the past 22 years, people using the service in Kamloops have donated generously to the cause. 

“Last year alone was $35,500,” Boomer said. “When I brought Red Nose here in 1997, we made $16,000. So, that sort of shows you how much it’s grown over the years. I mean, last year we did 1,338 rides, in our very first year alone we did 515.”

Starting Nov. 30, the driving service will be available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

According to Operation Red Nose Coordinator, Shanon Guglielmini, Kamloops residents make good use of the service. 

“(We’re) usually number one in the province against 11 communities,” she said, “and last year Operation Red Nose in Kamloops ranked 11th across the whole country.”

Operation Red Nose is urging people to volunteer, even for just one night, to help everyone have a safe holiday season. 

For information on how to volunteer email kamloops@operationrednose.com