Red Nose Day is May 24. Here's what it is
Kaila White
If you've turned on NBC or driven past a Walgreens recently, you've probably heard of Red Nose Day. This year, it's May 24.
But do you know what it is?
Red Nose Day aims to end child poverty by raising money and awareness for kids in the U.S. and around the world.
It's fairly new to Americans
The non-profit Comic Relief, which uses comedy to raise money for disadvantaged people, launched Red Nose Day in the United Kingdom in 1988. Since then, the day has raised more than $1 billion globally.
Red Nose Day launched in the U.S. in 2015 and has since raised $60 million. That money has benefited children and young people in all 50 states, as well as 25 countries.
It has ties to 'Love Actually'
Richard Curtis, who wrote and directed the 2003 movie "Love Actually," is the co-founder of Comic Relief.
Last year, he got the cast back together for a 15-minute sequel, called "Red Nose Day Actually," that aired as part of NBC’s Red Nose Day charity telethon.
NBC is airing a full evening of specials
NBC is celebrating Red Nose Day for the third year in a row with a night of special programming.
- "Celebrity Ninja Warrior for Red Nose Day," airing at 8 p.m., pairs celebrities with "elite ninjas" to train them for the course.
- In "Running Wild with Bear Grylls for Red Nose Day" at 9 p.m., host Bear Grylls takes actress Julia Roberts to Kenya on a quest to deliver vaccines.
- "The Red Nose Day Special," hosted by comedian Chris Hardwick at 10 p.m., will feature comedy, musical performances and films.
Why red noses?
The goofy prop helps use entertainment to raise awareness and is a conversation starter. It lends a goofy, kid-friendly air to fundraising.
Noses are sold exclusively at Walgreens and subsidiary Duane Reade locations. Walgreens will donate 50 cents for each nose purchased before June 2 to Comic Relief Inc.'s Red Nose Day Fund.
Where does the money go?
Donations go to a variety of well-known organizations that help kids. The website rednoseday.org lists ways money can help:
- "$1 can provide 11 meals for hungry children through Feeding America food banks."
- "$10 can provide essential immunizations for a child in need," according to Children’s Health Fund.
- "$10 helps provide a safe place for an at-risk child in America to go during the summer and after school," according to the Boys & Girls Club of America.
- "$30 can provide one person with access to clean water in Uganda," according to charity: water.
- "$50 can provide one year’s tuition, supplies, and textbooks for a child in a developing country," according to Save the Children.
- "$100 provides food, clothing, shelter, and medical care to help get a child off the street," according to Covenant House.
People can donate at rednoseday.org/donate, by calling 800-500-4373, or in-store at any Walgreens.
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