Operation Red Nose in Portage la Prairie begins their seasonal work this Friday. Coordinator Leo Lapointe says they could really use your help this year.

"As per every year, we're always looking for volunteers. I encourage a lot of people to go down tot he local RCMP detachment, fill out their application, and their free criminal check and come on out and volunteer for the weekend or any of the nights that we run. It's a great time, and I'm sure they'll feel good about it."

He explains there are three positions to choose from, including the navigator who fills out paperwork, designated driver who drives the client's vehicle, and the escort drivers who transport the team around using your own vehicle. Lapointe adds gift cards are provided by Co-op to reimburse those who request funds for their gasoline expenses.

Lapointe explains the more volunteers the better, seeing as sometimes a team leaves the city to service rural addresses, and that leaves the city without an entire team for a large part of the evening.

Red Nose starts at 9:00 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and runs until 3:00 a.m. both nights. They're also covering Grey Cup Sunday this year again. That date has them working from 4:00 p.m. that Sunday and running through most of the night. Red Nose has been known to help people get home in Eli, High Bluff, St. Claude, Delta Beach and Westbourne.

To make us of their services, call them at (204) 239-5570. A dispatch volunteer will take your call and information, asking you your name and where you live and where you're going. That person will, in turn, call another dispatcher to contact a team to pick you up. Lapointe emphasizes you must have a vehicle of your own for the driver to drive, and all proceeds go toward Portage Minor Hockey.

There's a calendar at the RCMP detachment for you to choose your dates of availability when you sign up, and you'll get free coffee from Tim Horton's all evening you volunteer as well as a meal.