Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, child poverty rose as high as 21.4 percent in the United States in 2020, underscoring the urgency to support underserved children. This year, together with Comic Relief U.S., the nonprofit behind Red Nose Day, Walgreens is excited to bring back the Digital Red Nose providing a way to bring people together virtually to spread awareness, raise funds and support children in need amid uncertainty.
“At Walgreens, we are committed to making a life-changing difference for children in need, which is why we continue to support Red Nose Day year after year,” said Patrick McLean, chief marketing officer of Walgreens. “The Digital Red Nose represents the innovative and safe way people have chosen to connect during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reminds us of the optimism and importance of improving the lives of the next generation.”
Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day has raised more than $240 million since its inception in the United States to help end child poverty. Through the purchase of Red Nose Day merchandise and cash donations, Walgreens in partnership with proud supporting vendors and customers raise funds for nutritious meals, essential medicine, shelter and other vital aid and education-based services to millions of children in America and around the world.
Grantee partners for this year’s Red Nose Day campaign include the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which supports clubs on Native Lands to ensure children and youth, like alumni Jordan Ott, have educational resources and a safe place to be after school; Children’s Health Fund, which brings essential medical services to children in underserved and rural communities; Covenant House, which provides shelter and holistic support services to youth facing homelessness in the United States and Latin America; Start Early, which provides critical early childhood education programs for children ages 0-5, as well as City Year, Feeding America, International Rescue Committee, Brotherhood SisterSol, Amref, and others.
Since the start of Red Nose Day in the United States in 2015, Walgreens has proudly served as the exclusive retailer of the Red Nose – a tradition customers and employees look forward to each year. The 2021 Digital Red Nose filter will once again replace the physical Red Nose traditionally sold in Walgreens stores before the global pandemic.
Digital Red Nose
Now through May 31, customers can get their Digital Red Nose by donating online at Walgreens. A donation will unlock a special Digital Red Nose filter that can be shared on Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat. Walgreens encourages everyone who donates to show their Red Nose Day spirit by sharing a selfie wearing their Digital Red Nose, tagging @walgreens, #NosesOn, then challenging friends and family to do the same. Customers may also donate in-store or, new this year, myWalgreens members can donate their Walgreens Cash rewards through their Walgreens app. One hundred percent of the donations will go to Red Nose Day, benefiting grantee partner organizations that help underserved children stay safe, healthy, educated and empowered through nutritious meals, educational services, safe shelter and more.
“The dire effects of the pandemic have disproportionately impacted children who are living in poverty. As so many families face a long road to recovery, the donations of millions of generous supporters and customers will be more important than ever, funding truly critical programs,” said Alison Moore, CEO of Comic Relief US, the nonprofit organization behind Red Nose Day. “We are thrilled to have the Digital Red Nose back this year, giving supporters an engaging way to turn hope into action, and for Walgreens’s continued partnership in bringing this to life.”
To celebrate this year’s Red Nose Day, NBC will be airing a special Red Nose Day episode of “The Wall,” Thursday, May 27, hosted by longtime supporter Chris Hardwick, as well as activating a host of other programming features across the network and other NBCU Comcast properties in support of the campaign.
