Operation Red Nose a no-go for 2020 holiday season

Oct 7, 2020 | 8:50 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Operation Red Nose will not be available this holiday season.

The nation-wide program provides safe rides home for individuals, targeting the holiday party season.

The local initiative is run by the University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Athletics and Pronghorn Booster Club. Unfortunately, because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, organizers have decided against offering the service this year.

“The safety of our volunteers, clients, and local host organizations has always been on of our top priorities,” said Jean-Phillipe Giroux, Executive Director for Operation Red Nose, in a release.

“The decision was made after long and careful consideration, and not without emotion. We remain convinced that positive initiatives will be possible this holiday season. In the meantime, we want to remind everyone to always plan ahead for a safe way to get home.”

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In November, Operation Red Nose will reveal the details of its 2020 awareness campaign. That will of course, unfortunately exclude the safe ride service for this year.

“Operation Red Nose Lethbridge wishes to thank all volunteers and sponsors for their support year after year,” it said in the statement from Operation Red Nose.

“The 2020 campaign will certainly be different, but we know that we will be able to count on their support to get through this unusual period and meet again in 2021, with our red vests on, to safely drive people home in our community.”

In Lethbridge, the program has been running for 25 years.

Every year, the safe ride service helps raise approximately $40,000 in donations in the community. 100 percent of this sum helps fund Pronghorn Athletics.

by Justin Goulet