The third annual Red Nose Day takes place today, May 25th, focusing on raising both money and awareness to the devastating effects of child poverty. The event is sponsored by several companies, notably the ubiquitous American drug store chain, Walgreens.
The fundraising telethon and special program about Red Nose Day airs again this year on NBC. However, the network will take a different approach this year with a special celebrity edition of American Ninja Warrior (8 PM, EST) then a special Running Wild With Bear Grylls where Julia Roberts will join Grylls on a trek across Kenya to deliver vaccines to sick children (9 PM, EST) , and then will air the Red Nose Day Special hosted by Chris Hardwick which features appearances by several A-list comedians and musicians (10 PM, EST).
The first two editions of this event NBC have run a special 3-hour telethon type program with performances, comedians, and clips from the field in Developing World nations as well as economically depressed areas in the United States. This will be the first year that regular series programs have been dedicated as special features to raise money for this crucially important cause.
Red Nose Day began originally in the United Kingdom, and has spread to include events throughout the world which have raised $1 billion so far for children’s poverty. The funds are funneled to trusted partner organizations, some of the most recognizable and trusted non-profit charities in the world.
The money raised in the American version of this fundraising event has benefitted children in every state in our country as well as children in about 25 other countries throughout the globe. The American event has raised $60 million since it began in 2015.
Walgreens is a prominent sponsor of the event along with their subsidiary Duane Reade pharmacies, which have a huge presence in major East Coast cities especially New York City. Those retail pharmacy locations in both chains sell red noses for $1 and offer at point of sale the ability for the customer to donate to the effort.
The difference can be made without a huge donation, any amount will help children who are living in poverty both in America and throughout the world. I have covered Red Nose Day for the past three years, it is an amazing event that makes a huge impact. I have worked in the non-profit sector and I have worked as an independent writer with non-profit organizations, and this type of event will instantly help them to have the funding capability to help so many children in need.
A donation as small as $10 can help fund after school programs. A donation of $30 could help bring water to a village in the Developing World. It is in the small steps that a journey is completed.
Some of you may recall the excursion that actor Jack Black took for Red Nose Day to Africa, where the young boy there asks him to bring him back to America with him. That was a poignant scene, the boy was in poor health and malnourished. Then last year, the viewers got the update that the boy had been adopted and sponsored by an American family and was in school and well cared for, it is an incredible testimonial to the power of this event to change lives.
In a world marked lately by some terrible and terrifying events, this is one way where we can join together and change the narrative. This is one way where we can make a difference and do something positive to lift the spirits of the most vulnerable in our society, children living in poverty. I hope you will consider a donation to Red Nose Day.
Please visit https://rednoseday.org/donate-splash to learn more about this remarkable event that helps so many children. Please tune in to NBC tonight for all the special programs they have starting at 8 PM (Eastern). Please consider helping this cause to change and save the lives of those children in need. Thank you for your support and attention. May God bless you.