This month marks the ninth year of the popular Red Nose Day, an annual fundraising campaign to end child poverty and ensure underserved children have access to a healthy future. It has become well-known around the world for the signature Red Noses donned by those who contribute to the public charity. 

While the campaign has seen immense success throughout the years, it’s important to reflect on our contributions as individuals, businesses, and humanitarians and maintain civic engagement year-round. During a time when access to food, healthcare, safety, mental health care, and education is becoming increasingly sparse and expensive, especially as COVID benefits run out, it’s crucial that everyone do their part to take action in ensuring children are able to live safe, happy, and comfortable lives, regardless of social standing, economic status, or geographical location. 

What is Red Nose Day?

Red Nose Day is an annual fundraiser to end child poverty and ensure healthy lives and futures for all children. Red Nose Day’s mission is to raise money and awareness to provide children in the U.S. and around the world with the safety, health, and education they need to succeed.

The event began in the U.S. in 2015 and was founded by the nonprofit organization Comic Relief US. The campaign was created out of a desire to harness the power of entertainment to drive positive change. Since 2015, Red Nose Day has been successful at mobilizing donors to raise $324 million and has positively impacted nearly 31 million children.

How Can I Participate in Red Nose Day?

You can purchase a Red Nose at Walgreens or Duane Reade locations for just $1 each between April 10 and May 31. Every Red Nose sold helps raise money to ensure children a better life. When you wear the Red Nose, you are also spreading awareness and helping get more people involved in the cause.

Walgreens is not the only business that supports Comic Relief US’s Red Nose Day. Other participating partners include NBC, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Critical Role Foundation, eBay for Charity, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, British Airways, and Names for Good.

The Red Nose Day Campaign raises life-changing funds for over 50 different organizations, all aimed at providing a better quality of life for kids. Some of these organizations include Children’s Health Fund, Coded by Kids, Start Early, The Ali Forney Center, Save the Children, Grow Dat, The Concilio, Feeding America, The John Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, the Malala Fund, Per Scholas, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, The Global Fund, Covenant House, and more. 

With the growing success of Red Nose Day, the campaign has expanded into a wider range of organizations that work with families, children, and communities to give back all year round.

Why is Red Nose Day Important?

The UN estimates that 339 million people worldwide will need humanitarian assistance in 2023—25% more than in 2022. Amongst systemic social and economic barriers, housing and education restrictions, intergenerational poverty, conflicts like the war in Ukraine, and disasters triggered by climate change, these challenges can have devastating effects on children in vulnerable communities. 

In 2021 alone, more than 9 million children, or 1 in 8, faced hunger in the United States, and unfortunately, this is not expected to improve. As of March 2023, SNAP benefits returned to pre-pandemic levels across many US states, leaving families that qualify with an average of $82 less on their SNAP electronic benefit transfer card. With inflation levels and the cost of living reaching all-time highs, campaigns like Red Nose Day are more important than ever. We all must do our part to help make a difference in our communities. 

How Can We End Child Poverty?

Walgreens, a BuzzRx preferred pharmacy, has set a high standard for corporations looking to give back to their communities. Throughout their 8-year partnership with Comic Relief US, Walgreens alone has more than $177 Million in funds raised for Red Nose Day, contributing to programs that have positively impacted over 31 million children and their families. 

Linh Peters, chief marketing officer of Walgreens, commented in the event’s press release, “Walgreens is dedicated to bringing more joyful lives through better health, and that starts with the youth in the communities we serve being able to access the quality medical, dental and mental health care, nutritious meals, and more, to enable a healthy future. As we begin our ninth year of Red Nose Day fundraising, we’re excited to continue to drive impact in our local communities by focusing on ways to improve the health and well-being of all.”

Many companies can benefit by following Walgreens’s lead and prioritizing community-building through nonprofit partnerships. If you are looking to expand your company’s nonprofit and community footprint, it’s important to identify charitable organizations that are aligned with your brand values. 

Partnering with Nonprofits for a Healthy Future

BuzzRx firmly believes in prioritizing social responsibility and integrity, which it has demonstrated through the numerous partnerships and initiatives that work to lessen food insecurity, find loving homes for mistreated animals, raise awareness for kidney disease, and help provide a healthy outcome for critically ill children.

“The BuzzRx mission is to provide convenient and affordable access to medicine and medical care to all communities and families. We are proud to work with companies like Walgreens who have prioritized creating a safe, healthy, educated, and empowered future children deserve,” says Matt Herfield, BuzzRx Co-founder & CEO. “BuzzRx encourages everyone to do their part to contribute to the Red Nose Day fund and other initiatives aimed at aiding young people and underserved communities around the world.” 

Set a goal to do something good for your community. Whether sporting a Red Nose this May 25th, sponsoring the safe rehoming of an animal, or volunteering to help grant the wish of a sick child, it is our responsibility as business owners and members of society to help vulnerable populations obtain a better quality of life. BuzzRx is proud to align with Walgreens and other organizations prioritizing the betterment of our communities.

To learn more about the Comic Relief US campaign and support Red Nose Day with your own Red Noses, visit participating exclusive retail partner locations or new digital platforms at rednoseday.org or the Comic Relief site at www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday.