‘Starting to get a little bit anxious’: Operation Red Nose issues urgent call for volunteers

Operation Red Nose in Winnipeg is facing a critical driver shortage as it heads into its busy season.

Operation Red Nose is short hundreds of volunteers days before the safe rides program is set to hit the road for the holiday season.

The organization issued a call for volunteers Monday, saying they have fewer than 200 volunteers signed up ahead of the program’s launch on Friday.

That means the non-profit is ‘critically short’ of another 600 volunteers needed to begin operations.

“We are starting to get a little bit anxious,” said Elisha Dacey with Operation Red Nose.

If all goes according to plan, the free designated driver program will run for five weeks this holiday season.

Free rides for you and your vehicle will be available on Friday and Saturday nights until the end of the year, as well as on New Year’s Eve.

All proceeds go to the Winnipeg Kids Foundation.

There are a number of positions available, including escort drivers, dispatchers, greeters and phone operators.

Volunteers are asked to consider signing up for three or more shifts if possible, as the organization has over 950 spots to fill each year to accommodate the demand.

However, any amount of volunteer time you can give is appreciated, the organization noted.

Dacey said it’s critical the organization gets as many volunteers in place as early in the season as possible, as it takes a few days to confirm the volunteer’s credentials and to train them for the gig.

While Dacey acknowledges finding 600 volunteers over the next few days sounds ambitious, she has faith.

“We know that’s a really big ask but we also know that Winnipeggers are so incredibly generous and it’s a lot of fun to do this, to volunteer,” she said.

Those interested are asked to fill out a volunteer application form on Operation Red Nose’s website.