Walgreens kicks off Red Nose Day to ensure healthy communities, end child poverty

Today, Walgreens kicks off sales and in-store donations for the ninth annual Red Nose Day campaign to support healthy communities and help end the cycle of child poverty.

Now through May 31, customers can visit Walgreens and Duane Reade locations and show their support by donating in-store via pin-pad or purchasing a Red Nose for $1, with all profits benefitting Red Nose Day.

The campaign and its iconic Red Nose return exclusively to Walgreens after a record-breaking fundraising year in 2022 where Walgreens’ customers, team members and supplier partners helped raise more than $38 million for the cause. 

“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,” said Linh Peters, chief marketing officer of Walgreens. “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 wellbeing of all.”

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One hundred percent of donations raised will go to Red Nose Day, Comic Relief US’ annual campaign that funds critical programs to keep children safe, healthy, educated and empowered across the U.S. and around the world.

“With the support of Walgreens and the millions of people who support Red Nose Day every year, Comic Relief US has expanded our scope of work to break cycles of intergenerational poverty and increased funding for programs addressing ongoing social inequities,” said Alison Moore, CEO of Comic Relief US. “We look forward to raising more funds this year for an even bigger impact in 2023 building healthy lives and futures that all children deserve.”

Since Red Nose Day launched in the U.S. in 2015 more than 31 million children and their families have been positively impacted through the more than $324 million raised. As the exclusive retail partner, Walgreens has raised more than $178 million toward that total with support from its customers, team members and supplier partners. 

Funds raised during this year’s Red Nose Day campaign will benefit grantee partners including Children’s Health Fund, which provides access to health care to children in some of the country’s most under-resourced communities; Covenant House, which provides shelter and holistic support services to youth facing homelessness in the United States and Latin America; Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which provide safe places, caring mentors and quality programs designed to empower youth to excel in school and lead healthy, productive lives, as well as Save the Children, City Year, Jumpstart and many others.

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Walgreens is encouraging individuals to join in this year’s Red Nose Day celebration on Thursday, May 25, by wearing your Red Nose, showing support with a selfie on social media, or organizing an in-person or virtual fundraising event with loved ones, co-workers or your local community.