OREANDA-NEWS. Championing everyone’s right to be happy and healthy, Walgreens proudly returns as the exclusive retail partner of the second annual Red Nose Day, helping raise funds to fight kids’ poverty. The campaign’s iconic Red Noses - which people wear in support of the official Red Nose Day on Thursday, May 26 - returned to store shelves at Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide this morning, officially kick starting the nine-week charitable campaign.
  
Following the sell-out success of last year’s inaugural Red Nose Day, Walgreens is going beyond the nose in 2016 and raising funds through the sale of new Red Flair merchandise, also available nationwide starting today. From red hats and springy novelty headbands to oversized sequin bowties and Red Noses for cars (to name a few), Walgreens is making it even easier for Americans to “Get Seriously Silly” in support of a great cause.
 
“Helping people live happy and healthy lives is our passion at Walgreens, and participating in Red Nose Day lets us do just that for those who need it most: kids living in poverty in the U.S. and abroad,” said Alex Gourlay, president of Walgreens. “Topping last year’s success is a challenge we’re ready for. We have more Red Noses, new Red Flair and several other fun ways for everyone in the Walgreens family - from our valued customers and vendor partners to our passionate team members - to get involved in this powerful campaign.”  
 
The Return of the Red Noses       
Between now and the official Red Nose Day in May, Walgreens hopes to sell significantly more Red Noses than the 5 million it sold last year. To help meet its goal, Red Noses and Red Flair hit Walgreens shelves two weeks earlier this year, giving Americans even more time to “Get Seriously Silly” in support of a great cause. Starting today and continuing through June 4, Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide will sell Red Noses for $1 each and Red Flair items for between $1-$5.99. Proceeds from Red Nose and Red Flair purchases benefit the Red Nose Day Fund* which supports charities with domestic and international reach aimed at fighting childhood poverty, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America; charity:water; Children’s Health Fund; Covenant House; Feeding America; Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance; National Council of La Raza; National Urban League; Oxfam America; Save the Children; and The Global Fund.

Beyond purchasing Red Noses and Red Flair for themselves, Americans can further support the cause by purchasing Red Noses and Red Flair products for their schools or workplaces, or organize fundraisers in their community. Cash donations can also be made at any Walgreens location.
 
Walgreens commemorated the return of the laughs and Red Nose Day fun with the help of actor and comedian Ravi Patel (Grandfathered, Masters of None), who helped deliver the first batch of Red Noses and Red Flair to Walgreens shelves in Chicago, the retailer’s hometown. Accompanied by Walgreens team members, Patel arrived at Walgreens flagship store in a Red Nose Day-adorned armored truck. With security in place, a briefcase full of Red Noses and Red Flair handcuffed to his arm and a store full of unsuspecting shoppers, Patel successfully delivered the Red Nose Day fun to Walgreens. The event was captured on film and is posted on the Walgreens YouTube channel.
 
#RedNose Road Trip & Challenges
Together with Walgreens, Patel will continue the fun online by inviting Americans to “Get Seriously Silly” on social media with weekly #RedNose challenges. Starting today and continuing every Monday leading up to Red Nose Day, Patel will accept the weekly #RedNose challenge from Walgreens with a silly video and task Americans to join in. The challenges include “Share your four-legged friend’s #RedNose look,” “Share your #RedNose Mom & Me Flair selfie,” and “Share your #RedNose landmark photo,” among others. People can share their silliest pictures and videos answering the challenge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #RedNose.
 
Weekly #RedNose challenge videos will be featured as part of a new Walgreens “50 States, 50 Stories” video series to live on Walgreens.com/RedNoseDay. In the series, Walgreens takes Red Nose Day on the road in search of powerful stories showing people both supporting and benefitting from Red Nose Day. The uplifting, fun-filled stories will showcase real people’s charitable Red Nose Day efforts in action across the country.
 
Walgreens “nose” consumers aren’t the only ones who know how to have fun for a great cause. Later this week, Walgreens executives will issue a Corporate Challenge to colleagues at other companies encouraging them to share funny videos and show America their silly sides. In the coming weeks Walgreens Facebook page will show just how silly corporate America can get to help fight kids’ poverty around the world.
 
Beyond the Nose
In the UK, Red Nose Day has raised more than $1 billion since it launched over 25 years ago and is an inspiring cultural phenomenon that unites people from all walks of life in the interest of saving and changing lives. The inaugural Red Nose Day event in the U.S. took place last May and raised more than $23 million to help kids in need in America and abroad.
 
This year, Red Nose Day’s nine-week campaign will culminate in a live, two-hour broadcast on NBC airing on May 26 (9-11 p.m. ET). The Red Nose Day Special will feature popular comedians, top musicians and Hollywood stars in an engaging mix of comedy, live musical performances and short, compelling films shedding light on the cause.

About Walgreens
Walgreens, one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,173 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens digital business includes Walgreens.com, drugstore.com, Beauty.com, SkinStore.com and VisionDirect.com. Walgreens also manages more than 400 Healthcare Clinic and provider practice locations around the country..

About Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is a fundraising campaign run by the non-profit organization Comic Relief Inc, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Money raised goes to the Red Nose Day Fund, which distributes money to organizations whose work helps to achieve Comic Relief Inc.'s vision of a just world free from poverty. The inaugural Red Nose Day in the U.S. was held on May 21, 2015 and raised more than $23 million. Funds raised benefited children in all 50 states and 15 countries internationally through programs addressing literacy, education, healthcare, and nutrition. The second annual Red Nose Day will be held on Thursday May 26, 2016.  The day’s events will culminate in a two-hour entertainment TV special on NBC, featuring the country’s favorite comedians, musicians and Hollywood stars.
 
Comic Relief Inc. and Comic Relief UK are independent organizations related through their shared vision of a just world, free from poverty; and with the same mission to effect positive change through the power of entertainment. In the UK, Red Nose Day has been going for 30 years and is an inspiring cultural phenomenon that unites people from all walks of life in the interest of saving and changing lives across the globe.