COLD LAKE - The City of Cold Lake participated in the 2024 Operation Red Nose campaign, contributing to a nationwide effort to promote road safety during the holiday season.
From Nov. 29 to Dec. 31, residents had access to a safe ride service from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., reinforcing the importance of preventing impaired driving.
Since its inception in 1984, Operation Red Nose states it has been dedicated to preventing impaired driving and supporting local youth and amateur sports initiatives. Every dollar raised through the safe ride service stays within the host communities to support local causes.
“Cold Lake was the only Alberta community to host Operation Red Nose for the 2024 campaign season,” said Dustin Foulds, marketing and maintenance manager with the Cold Lake Agricultural Society.
“We raised just a little over $3,000 for local youth initiatives for Cold Lake Minor Football and the Cold Lake Agricultural Society. A big thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers helping keep our community roads safe this holiday season,” Foulds said.
Andréanne Allard, Director of Communications and Partnerships with Operation Red Nose, also shared the success of the campaign, highlighting the dedication of volunteers and the support of the community.
“Today, Operation Red Nose is celebrating the success of its 2024 campaign, marked by the extraordinary commitment of thousands of volunteers and the unwavering support of the population,” Allard said.
“For more than a month, the organization helped strengthen road safety in nearly 70 Canadian regions, thanks to its festive and responsible safe ride service. This campaign, reflecting an impressive national mobilization, resulted in the commitment of 23,827 volunteers who travelled Canadian roads to provide 26,935 safe rides to their fellow citizens. In Alberta, 103 volunteers participated in this holiday tradition, providing 101 safe rides.”
Overall, the numbers show significant growth in community participation. Allard noted that the 2024 campaign stood out due to an increase in the average number of rides provided per night and the volunteers mobilized each evening. These results emphasize the vital role of Operation Red Nose in reducing impaired driving.
“These results demonstrate, once again, the importance of Operation Red Nose in preventing impaired driving, as well as the solidarity movement surrounding this initiative for many decades,” Allard remarked.
Jean-Marie De Koninck, founding president of Operation Red Nose, emphasized the community spirit that made the campaign a success.
“Operation Red Nose could not boast of such success without the participation and collaboration of communities. This 32nd campaign in Alberta is striking proof of the generosity and commitment of our volunteers, partners, and local host organizations. Thanks to their renewed dedication, we managed to offer a concrete and user-friendly solution to ensure everyone's safety during the holidays,” De Koninck said.
