CREDIT: Red Nose Day USA

Batavia United Way wants to know where you wore your red nose. To build awareness about Red Nose Day USA on Thursday, May 21, participants submitting a photo of them wearing a red nose will have a chance to win an Aliano’s Ristorante gift certificate.

Participants can purchase the shiny red nose at Walgreen’s stores for $1, with 50 cents donated to the nonprofit Comic Relief Inc.Drop off a 4-by-6-inch hard copy photo of you (or a group), wearing the red nose at either Rossario’s Fine Jewelry, 60 N. Island Ave. or Aliano’s Ristorante, 90 N. Island Ave., Batavia.

Photos will be posted in storefront windows as they come in and should be clearly marked with a name and phone number on the back. On May 21, the day of an entertainment special on NBC, all photos will go into a basket for raffle drawings. Three winners will be pulled at 7:30 p.m. and will receive a $25 gift certificate.

Although creativity is encouraged, photos must be in good taste with no alcohol, no violence or any other offensive actions depicted.

According to www.rednoseday.org, “Red Nose Day is a campaign dedicated to raising money for children and young people living in poverty by simply having fun and making people laugh.” Originating in the United Kingdom 30 years ago, the nonprofit organization Comic Relief Inc. organizes Red Nose Day. The inaugural Red Nose Day in the United States on May 21 culminates with a three-hour entertainment special on NBC.

Proceeds from the event will be directed to 12 charities that aid children and young people in the U.S., Africa, Asia and Latin America: Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Charity: water; Children’s Health Fund; Feeding America; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; The Global Fund; LIFT; National Council of La Raza; National Urban League; Oxfam America; Save the Children; and United Way.

Those monies granted to United Way Worldwide will then be re-granted to local United Ways, according to United Way Worldwide. The organization says that funds will be given to those programs “showing great impact in early learning in communities that target low-income families. Admin costs will be kept to no more than 10 percent, so 90 percent of the monies will be used for programs.”

Melinda Kintz, executive director of Batavia United Way, plans to apply for a grant to help fund “Success by 6,” a new program the nonprofit is launching.

“Success by 6 will provide scholarships for qualifying families in Batavia to help pay for the kindergarten enrichment program available at all Batavia grade schools through the Batavia Park District,” Kintz explained. “Tuition for this program is $2,900; a fee that low-income families cannot afford.

“Funding of this program is in addition to the funds we raise to allocate to 18 or 19 area programs by other area nonprofits that directly benefit Batavians,” she continued.

Kintz and Batavia United Way urge area residents to have fun with the Red Nose Day and also to donate generously. The television program will showcase top comedy and entertainment live and in pre-recorded segments. It will also highlight the issues for which Red Nose Day is fundraising. Viewers will be encouraged to make donations by phone, and online.

Learn more about Red Nose Day USA by visiting the group’s website, rednoseday.org. For those wishing to learn more about Batavia United Way, please contact Melinda Kintz, executive director of Batavia United Way by calling 630-877-2780, or via email melinda@bataviaunitedway.org.

About Batavia United Way

The Batavia United Way is a not-for-profit organization charged with raising funds and disbursing them in a fiscally responsible manner to programs that directly benefit Batavians specifically in the areas of education, health and income. The group values all members of our community as well as its volunteers, donors and partners. The goal is to have a measurable lasting impact in the community and do so with accountability and integrity. An all-volunteer board and a part-time executive director, Melinda Kintz, run Batavia United Way. Visit www.BataviaUnitedWay.org for more information, or call the office at 630-877-2780.

SOURCE: Batavia United Way press release