Get Your Nose on Red Nose Day

Disclosure: I was asked to participate in the #RedNose campaign, sponsored by Walgreens.  Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.

The Red Nose Day festivities officially kicked off on April 17, 2017, a six-week charitable campaign leading up to Red Nose Day on Thursday May 25.  Since launching in the U.S. in 2015, Red Nose Day has raised over $60 million, which are granted to nonprofit partners running programs across the country that keep children and young people safe, healthy, and educated.

As the exclusive retail partner of Red Nose Day, Walgreens is raising funds to benefit children and young people in poverty and champion their right to be happy and healthy.  In its third consecutive year of raising funds to help end child poverty, Walgreens is welcoming back Red Nose Day with comic cheer and a steady stream of celebrations and fundraising nationwide.

I was about nine when I first immigrated with my family to the states.  We barely had enough money for food and a roof over our heads for a family of seven.  We were poor.  Very poor.  I remember our family receiving free donations like clothing and cookware from the community.  Thanks to these generous people our family was able to thrive and got out of poverty.  Because of that support, my siblings and I are college grads and lead a healthy successful lifestyle.

That gesture from the community had a huge impact on me as a kid.  I’m so grateful for the generosity that was given to me and my family.  I felt like I mattered and belonged not just to the new country, but most importantly, to the community.  That experience propelled and encouraged me to be a better person each day.  

I wholeheartedly believe in giving back and share this value with my kids.  Aside from taking trips to the fire stations to donate their toys a few times a year, this is another event that we get them to join in on the fun.

My kids like many others are fortunate.  Unfortunately, there are still two out of 10 children in the United States live in poverty.  But we can help them, one nose at a time, by purchasing Red Noses for $1 each from now through June 3 at Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide with net proceeds going to the Red Nose Day Fund.* 

We all have the power to keep every child and young people in poverty safe, healthy, and educated.  $1 may not seem like a lot but it is impactful to even just one child.  

Red Noses are currently available for purchase in-store and online and can be purchased individually or in bulk.  I bought ours at a local Walgreens store, which is a couple blocks away – talk about convenience.  

We can also support the cause by purchasing Red Noses at Walgreens for their schools or workplaces or organizing fundraisers in your community. Cash donations can also be made at any Walgreens location.

On May 25, NBC’s three-hour program block to celebrate Red Nose Day will both entertain viewers and give them an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids in need.  “Celebrity Ninja Warrior for Red Nose Day” will air at 8 p.m ET/PT followed by a very special episode of “Running Wild with Bear Grylls for Red Nose Day” featuring Academy-Award winner Julia Roberts venturing to Kenya at 9 p.m., leading up to NBC’s third annual “The Red Nose Day Special” hosted by Chris Hardwick at 10 p.m.  The special includes the much anticipated “Red Nose Day Actually”, a shore “Love Actually” reunion film from writer-director Richard Curtis, who is also the founder of Red Nose Day.

To further heighten Red Nose Day awareness, Walgreens is inviting Americans to join designated “Red Nose Captains” on social media with weekly “Noses On” challenges via Facebook Live.  Each week, more than 600 participating employees, also known as “Red Nose Captains,” will complete fun activities on live video, including dancing competitions, singing challenges that Walgreens customers can participate in with employees while wearing their Red Noses, and more.  Follow the Walgreens Facebook Page for live updates.

Last Friday’s LIVE event, America’s Got Talent sensation Joe Castillo created incredible sand art in support of Red Nose Day USA to help end child poverty. Take a look at his video here:

Walgreens is also hitting the road to uncover powerful and heartwarming stories about the impact Red Nose Day is having in the U.S., as well as the people that are coming together in support of Red Nose Day.  You can follow these stories through Walgreens social media pages, as well as through a series of videos illustrating the commitment, which will be released throughout the duration of the campaign leading up to Red Nose Day.

Proceeds support and fund specific aspects of charity programs that ensure children and young people most in need are safe, healthy and educated, both in the U.S. and abroad.  Charity organizations supported by the Red Nose Day Fund include Boys & Girls Clubs of America; charity:water; Children’s Health Fund; Feeding America; Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance; National Council of La Raza; Save the Children; and The Global Fund.

Millions of Americans united around the cause last year, let’s hope more will join with their “Noses On” this year.

For more information about Red Nose Day, its impact, and fun and funny ideas on how to get involved, please visit walgreens.com/RedNoseDay and Walgreens on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

* Until June 3, 2017, for each Red Nose purchased Walgreens will donate $0.50 to the Red Nose Day Fund, which supports programs that help children living in poverty, which helps lift children out of poverty in the U.S. and internationally. For more information about the Red Nose Day Fund, visit rednoseday.org. No portion of purchase is tax deductible.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Walgreens. The opinions and text are all mine.