NEW YORK (April 22, 2019) – Today, Comic Relief USA celebrated the launch of its fifth annual Red Nose Day campaign to end child poverty, kicking off a five-week fundraising effort. The launch was marked with a collection of five new Red Noses – the Everyday Heroes -- and other Red Nose Day merchandise going on sale today in Walgreens stores nationwide. The campaign culminates on Red Nose Day, Thursday, May 23, with a star-studded night of primetime Red Nose Day programming on NBC.
In the coming weeks, millions of Americans and hundreds of celebrities will support the campaign, coming together in schools, workplaces and communities across the country wearing their Red Noses, fundraising, tuning in to the TV Special and donating to the cause. Money raised supports programs that ensure children who are living in poverty are safe, healthy and educated in both America and around the world. Since 2015, Red Nose Day has raised nearly $150 million and positively impacted over 16 million children in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and some of the most underserved communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
“Our fifth Red Nose Day will be our most exciting and dynamic ever. Americans of all ages will have lots of new ways to come together and get involved — including our five new Red Noses,” said Janet Scardino, CEO of Comic Relief USA. “By making it fun to make a difference we really hope to unite the nation, and in doing so help millions of children here at home and around the world.”
Five New Red Noses: The Everyday Heroes
Together with Walgreens, Red Nose Day is thrilled to introduce five new Red Noses: the Everyday Heroes. Each of the Everyday Hero Red Noses has a special power to address specific issues affecting children living in poverty: hunger, sickness, homelessness and illiteracy. The limited-edition Red Noses are available for $2 each at Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide from today through June 1, with all profits from sales benefitting the Red Nose Day Fund.
Special Night of Primetime Television on NBC
As part of the celebrations on Thursday, May 23, NBC will be airing a three-hour night of special Red Nose Day programming, kicking off at 8pm ET. The fifth annual “Red Nose Day Special” will deliver a star-studded night of comedy and music, with full talent line up to be announced soon.
The Special includes the much-anticipated short mini-sequel to “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, titled “One Red Nose Day and a Wedding”, for which the original cast have reprised their roles, including Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, Kristin Scott Thomas, John Hannah and Rowan Atkinson along with very special guest stars Lily James, Alicia Vikander and Sam Smith. Richard Curtis, who wrote the original film and is the co-founder of Red Nose Day, has written the short especially for the 2019 edition of Red Nose Day.
At 10pm ET Hollywood’s biggest stars will unite for the cause, testing their pop culture prowess and raising money for children living incredibly tough lives on a special Red Nose Day episode of “Hollywood Game Night”. Hosted by Jane Lynch, the team that gets the most points in each game earns money to be donated to Red Nose Day. Joining the fun will be Kelly Clarkson, Kenan Thompson, Kristen Bell, Jennifer Garner, Sean Hayes, Jeff Goldblum, Leslie Mann and Thandie Newton.
Fundraise & Chill: The Easiest Good You’ll Ever Do
There are a million ways to fundraise if you want to sweat, but if you prefer to lounge around in sweatpants, this is the fundraiser for you! You deserve a fun night in, so why not make a difference at the same time? It’s the easiest good you'll ever do. Find out more at rednoseday.org/chill.
JokeHaThon: Kids Make Their Laughs Matter
Students are invited to write, tell and sell their best jokes to raise some laughs and some life-changing cash for children in need. Red Nose Day’s JokeHaThon is an extension of the national Red Nose Day in School program, which includes lesson plans and learning materials for 2nd-5th grades that introduce the issue of child poverty, build empathy and help kids discover their power to make a difference. Learn more at rednoseday.org/JokeHaThon.
Get Your Game On: Livestreaming
Launching soon, an influential array of top gamers and much-loved personalities will be hosting a series of livestream online fundraisers -- all for Red Nose Day. This one’s for gamers, competition fans, board game players, celebrity enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a good laugh.
Prizes Galore
Red Nose Day harnesses the power of entertainment to drive positive change, so who better to offer supporters the chance to win a host of talent-packed, once-in-a-life-time prizes -- simply by making a donation to benefit Red Nose Day? Prizes include an unplugged Mumford & Sons concert, breakfast with Jodie Whittaker on the Doctor Who set, and a meet and greet with Tom Hiddleston with tickets to his play Betrayal, with many more to be announced in the coming weeks. See rednoseday.org/prizes for more.
The Red Nose Day Shop
Coming soon: Look great and do good in a new range of Red Nose Day gear from the Red Nose Day Shop. The 2019 collection will include a limited-edition Red Nose Day 2019 t-shirt, fan-favorites like a Red Nose Day mug, and other fun Red Nose Day goodies to outfit your Red Nose Day fundraiser. All products in the Red Nose Day store deliver a generous donation to the Red Nose Day campaign and show your support.
Do What You Love for Red Nose Day
You can do almost anything to raise money for Red Nose Day. Fundraise your way! Throw a party, challenge a friend, or surprise us and come up with something totally new. Whatever you love to do, do it for Red Nose Day. For inspiration and fund ideas, visit rednoseday.org/fundraise-your-way.
Incredible New Partners
In addition to Red Nose Day’s outstanding partnerships with longtime supporters Walgreens, NBC, Mars Wrigley Confectionary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Red Nose Day is thrilled to be welcoming some amazing new partners into the Red Nose Day family in 2019 — with more details to be announced soon.
For more information on Red Nose Day, its impact, and how to get involved visit RedNoseDay.org.
Noses On!
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About Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day is a fundraising campaign run in the United States by Comic Relief USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Red Nose Day started in the U.K., built on the foundation that the power of entertainment can drive positive change, and has raised over $1 billion globally since the campaign's founding in 1988. Red Nose Day launched in the U.S. in 2015 with a mission to end child poverty, and has raised nearly $150 million to date. Money raised supports programs that ensure children in need are safe, healthy and educated, both in America and around the world. Since launching in the U.S., Red Nose Day has received generous support from millions of Americans, hundreds of celebrities and many outstanding partners, including Walgreens, NBC, Mars Wrigley Confectionery, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Red Nose Day returns for its fifth year on Thursday, May 23, 2019. For more information about Red Nose Day USA and its impact, visit www.rednoseday.org. Follow RedNoseDay on Instagram and Facebook.