by Lina Bickel, BSC Division Chief
Every year, thousands across America buy Red Noses at Walgreens to raise funds to help children in need. Then in late May, people across the nation come together on Red Nose Day to wear their red noses, have some fun, and raise awareness...and on May 24, 2018, BSC staff were among them! The Red Nose is intended to powerfully and simply symbolize coming together, breaking down barriers, and the healing power of laughter.
The British charity group Comic Relief launched the first Red Nose Day in the United Kingdom in 1988, and its sister organization, Comic Relief Inc., launched the United States version of Red Nose Day in 2015 in agreement with the mission to end child poverty. Globally, over $1 billion has been raised toward ending childhood poverty since the 1988 UK launch.
The Children’s Defense Fund-California reports that 19.9% of California’s children lived in poverty in 2016 and that 1 in 12 of those children lived in deep poverty. Fresno County’s child poverty rate was California’s highest in 2016, at a stunning 37.9% with almost half of those children in deep poverty. By comparison, Santa Barbara County’s child poverty rate in 2016 was at 15.3% with 3.3% in deep poverty and Napa County had the lowest child poverty rate at 5.2%. Data shows that the child poverty rate in California declined from 21.2% in 2015, with credit for the decline going to social safety nets.
At the BSC, we strive to remember that we are a crucial part of the social safety net. Every time we assist a caller in retaining or restoring food or medical benefits, we strengthen our community and help combat the negative impacts of poverty...not only on Red Nose Day, but all year 'round.