Operation Red Nose is back in Portage, for its 14th year of providing safe rides for holiday revellers, with proceeds to Portage Minor Hockey.

Coordinator Leo Lapointe says it's had an impact on the community.

"I've noticed how more people are starting to utilize the system," he says. "And using it not to drink and drive. And that's showing in the numbers that I see year after year. That's really good to see that people are making the smart decision, and taking that ride home from us, and not to drink and drive."

Lapointe tells us Red Nose began in 2006, through Safety Services approaching the local RCMP.

"And said we would love to get Operation Red Nose in Portage la Prairie -- what can you do to help us," he says. "And then they approached a couple of organizations with large amount of volunteers, and Portage Minor Hockey was one of them, and that's where it all started. It might have started with one or two teams a night, and right now, we're up to 12 or 13 teams a night."

Lapointe's pleased with how this year's Red Nose has gone.

"This is week number 4 coming up," he says. "And up to now, it's just been really good, the numbers are up, we're at about 349 rides, and donations are up, too, so it's really good that the people of Portage and area are using the service, and not making that decision to drink and drive."

The contact number for Operation Red Nose is 204-239-5570.