Walgreens’ Red Nose Day takes on digital format

Walgreens’ Red Nose Day, a campaign to raise funds to end child poverty, is more urgent than ever amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  

Adhering to social distancing recommendations, the retailer is taking Red Nose Day digitally in order to spread joy virtually and raise awareness of the cause. 

"Red Nose Day has always been about celebrating kindness and caring, and our commitment to support children in need is more urgent than ever before," Walgreens president Richard Ashworth said. "The digital red nose is a simple and safe way for people to provide immediate support to the children and communities that are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 health pandemic, especially at a time when physical distance makes traditional ways of helping difficult."

Through May 30, consumers can obtain their digital red nose by donating online here. A special red nose filter that can be shared on Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat will be unlocked when a donation is made.

The retailer encourages everyone who donates to show their Red Nose Day spirit by sharing a selfie, wearing their digital red nose and tagging Walgreens on social media with the #NosesOn hashtag, as well as challenging friends and family to do the same.

One hundred percent of these donations will go to Red Nose Day, benefitting grantee partner organizations that help children in need stay safe, healthy and educated through nutritious meals, educational support, safe shelter and more as the needs and economic hardship increase significantly for this group in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For five years, Red Nose Day has tapped into the power of laughter, engagement and entertainment to bring Americans together to change the stories of millions of children in need,” Alison Moore, CEO of Comic Relief US, the nonprofit organization behind Red Nose Day, said. “We’re thrilled, in partnership with Walgreens, to have been able to launch the first digital red noses, continuing to give people an easy way to come together and show their support for vulnerable children. Millions of children in need here and around the world are suffering from the devastating impacts of COVID-19. This may just be our most important Red Nose Day yet.”

For those shopping in store who wish to make a donation can do so by telling their cashier.

Over the past five years, Red Nose Day has raised $200 million in the United States to help end child poverty. 

Partner recipients of this year’s Red Nose Day Fund include the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which provide safe places for children to learn and play after school; Children's Health Fund, which brings essential medical services to underserved children; Feeding America, the hunger relief organization; and Save the Children, which provides critical early childhood programs, as well as City Year; Covenant House; International Rescue Committee; Laureus Sport for Good; UnidosUS; The Global Fund; and others.

In addition, the Red Nose Day TV special will air on NBC on Thursday, May 21.

For more information on Red Nose Day and how to get involved, click here.