Operation Red Nose is a free, designated-driver service which helps to keep our community safe during the holiday season.  For the eighth year, Operation Red Nose on the North Shore is brought to you by the North Shore Rotary Clubs:
          Rotary Club of North Vancouver
          Rotary Club of North Vancouver Lions Gate
          Rotary Club of West Vancouver
          Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise

What are the dates and times of operation?

What are the dates and times of operation for 2009?
The service is available from 9 pm to 3 am November 27, 28, December 4, 5, 11, 12,18,19, and 31st.  Call 604-619-0942 between 9 pm and 3 am for service. 

The service is dependent on volunteers.  You can help by volunteering yourself or better still, volunteer as part of a team of three consisting of the driver, the escort driver, and the navigator, or volunteer to help at the headquarters dispatch centre.  To volunteer download the volunteer forms.  As in past years, all volunteer drivers will need to have record checks done by the RCMP to ensure the safety of all Red Nose clients and volunteers. Please complete the forms and take them to the RCMP Community Policing Offices in Lower Lonsdale and Edgemont Village in North Vancouver with a photo ID.  After the RCMP record check is completed, the Rotary volunteer administrator will confirm receipt of the application.  If you have questions about volunteering, call Debbie at 604-929-3365 or email ornvolunteer@gmail.com 

Provincial Host and Sponsors:
Operation Red Nose is hosted provincially by ICBC Road Sense and CTV.  

North Shore Sponsors
Thank you to the North Shore sponsors who make this program possible. The following sponsors in conjunction with the provincial sponsors provide services that make this program possible:  the North Shore News, Cell City Communications, the North Vancouver RCMP detachment, and Capilano Audi/Capilano Volkswagen.  We are also very grateful to the many generous sponsors who provide additional funding. In 2008 the sponsors included the North Shore Credit Union, Prudential Sussex Realty, Park Royal Shopping Centre, Cowboy Coffee, Lee and Porter Insurance, Peake and Richmond Ltd., British Pacific Properties, City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and District of West Vancouver as well as many local pubs and restaurants. If you would like to be a sponsor for 2009, please call Jim at 604-837-2362.

How does it work?
The Operation Red Nose service is provided by a team of three volunteers who pick up the motorist and his vehicle. Two of the three volunteers ride with the client in his vehicle while the third volunteer follows them behind in his own car. These volunteers are the volunteer driver, the navigator and the escort driver. The “driver” drives the client car; the “navigator” accompanies the driver, answers client questions about the service, and prepares the receipt; the “escort driver” picks up the other two volunteers at the client’s destination and drives them to another client location or back to the headquarters. On the North Shore, the headquarters location is at the ICBC Claim Centre at 255 Lloyd Avenue, North Vancouver.

Who can use the service?
The Red Nose service is not intended just for people who have been drinking alcohol. Any person who doesn't feel up to driving, due to fatigue or for other reasons, may call on the services of Operation Red Nose. The only requirement is that the client must have a vehicle at the time of the call. In other words: no vehicle, no service. Operation Red Nose is not a taxi service, but rather a volunteer designated-driver service for motorists and their vehicles.  If you have guests accompanying you, you need to have enough seat belts to accommodate yourself (car owner), your guests, and two Red Nose volunteers. 

What areas are included in the “North Shore”
This region covers the whole North Shore including West Vancouver, Deep Cove, Lions Bay, and Horseshoe Bay along with the City and District of North Vancouver.  

Is Operation Red Nose available in other locations?

Operation Red Nose is available in seven other regions of BC including Abbostford/Mission; Chilliwack; Coquitlam; Delta/Richmond; Langley/Surrey; Kamloops; Nanaimo; Prince George, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows, and Williams Lake.  Call 1-877-604-6673 (1-877-604-NOSE) to reach any of these locations.   

How much does it cost?
The service is free; however, donations are gratefully accepted.  All proceeds are used to support programs for youth on the North Shore.  

Can I book ahead for a specific time?
Unfortunately, no, we cannot accommodate booking ahead.   

As a volunteer, do I need to use my car?

Escort drivers are asked to use their own cars; however, Capilano Volkswagon / Audi does provide a few courtesy cars which may be available for use by the “escort drivers”. 

You may be compensated for gas costs if requested.   

How can you help?

You can help in several ways: 

•    Volunteer as a designator or escort driver, a navigator, or an assistant in the HQ dispatch centre.

•    Become a corporate sponsor.

•    Use the service when you are out celebrating.

 How can local businesses support Operation Red Nose?

•   Become a corporate sponsor to help offset the costs of providing this service. All the staff are volunteers, and all the proceeds fund youth programs on the North Shore.

•    Tell your employees about the service. Promote the use of the service at your own company holiday events. 

•     Encourage your staff and co-workers to volunteer.  Better still, host one of the nights with several volunteer teams. Volunteering is a very rewarding and fun experience.

Operation Red Nose in B.C.  The North Shore is one of 16 communities in BC providing this service.  In 2008 some 3299 volunteers provided over 4907 safe rides while raising $104,000 to support youth programs in BC. 

Operation Red Nose in Canada. Nationally, in 2008 over 49,800 volunteers provided safe rides for 68,555 clients and raised $1,200,000 for youth programs in Canada.

Visit www.operationrednose.com for information on the national program. For information about how to become involved in ORN on the North Shore in 2009, call Jim Godey at 604-837-2362 or email northshore@operationrednose.com

North Shore Summary 2008

What is the history of Operation Red Nose?

Operation Red nose was started in Quebec in 1984 as a creative way to raise funds and support amateur sports by Dr. Jean-Marie De Koninck, coach of the University of Laval swim team.  2008 will be the 25^th year of operation.  It has since expanded to other cities in Canada and in Europe.  See the web site www.operationrednose.com for more history.       

Additional Information:
For more information about getting involved with the program, please contact Jim at 604-837-2362 or email northshore@operationrednose.com.

 If you would like to volunteer for ORN, please download this form,