Call a friend, a parent, a cab, or Operation Red Nose
QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 20, 2007 – During the holiday season, think about using the Operation Red Nose service. This service actively keeps impaired drivers off the road, and at the same time gets everyone who sees or hears about the program thinking about celebrating responsibly. This year, Operation Red Nose, the unique, free, designated-driver service, will be operating in communities in seven provinces, as follows:
Nova Scotia: Sydney, Halifax and Truro. Holiday revellers in these areas will have the option of making the smart call — to get themselves and their cars home safely — on Friday and Saturday nights throughout December.
New Brunswick: Moncton, Oromocto-Burton, Edmundston, and the Acadian Peninsula. Friday and Saturday nights throughout December.
Quebec: Communities to be announced.
Ontario: Chatham-Kent, Hearst, Kingston, Newmarket-Aurora, North Bay, Quinte, Sudbury, and Toronto. Starting the last weekend of November until the last weekend of November until the end of December.
Manitoba: Communities to be announced.
Alberta: Edmonton (including Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Beaumont, and Fort Saskatchewan) and Lethbridge. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights throughout December, as well as New Year’s Eve in some locations. In Edmonton, the program will officially start on November 25, 2007 (Grey Cup Sunday) and run until New Year’s Eve.
British Columbia: Communities to be announced.
Operation Red Nose invites all people in the communities above to come out and volunteer. The easiest way to become a volunteer is to fill out the application form online at www.operationrednose.com (or www.operationnezrouge.com), then print out the completed form, sign it, and send it to the address indicated.
A major sponsor that helps make the program possible is Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), the trade association that represents Canada’s home, car and business insurers. “Insurance Bureau of Canada is an excellent partner because they are dedicated to contributing to the development and expansion of the Operation Red Nose service in Canada,” says Jean-Marie De Koninck, founding president of Operation Red Nose. “In addition to being an important sponsor in the province, IBC also provides significant financial resources and manpower each year to promote the Operation Red Nose campaign and recruit volunteers. IBC also encourages employees of their member insurance companies to become Red Nose volunteers during the month of December!”
Thanks to the support of Insurance Bureau of Canada, Operation Red Nose will be providing a public service announcement (PSA) about the program to radio and television stations for a second year. The PSA, which was produced in both English and French by the LXB agency, transports the listener to a mysterious world where the magician Gary Kurtz reads people’s minds to find out how they will get home safely after a celebration!
“It’s very important for us to highlight the importance of planning ahead for a safe ride home,” explains Mr. De Koninck, adding that “humour is a good way to capture the hearts and minds of Canadians.”
About Operation Red Nose in Canada:
The famous Operation Red Nose service, back on Canadian roads for a 24th year, will be operating in seven Canadian provinces in 2007: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. More than 90 communities throughout the country will be hosting the program during the holiday season. Since 1984, volunteers of Operation Red Nose have provided no fewer than 1,344,569 safe rides home in Canada. While the service is free, donations are accepted. All donations made by clients are given to local youth organizations and amateur sport organizations.