MAKE THEM LAUGH...

Have you ever heard that sometimes a little action can make a big difference? Take for instance the Red Nose day on May 26th this year sponsored by Walgreen's for 'Child Poverty.' By purchasing a red nose for a dollar, these monies will go towards helping fight child poverty. A noble cause indeed to bring attention to a world problem even in the U.S.

Remember the movie "Patch Adams" with Robin Williams where he is a child oncologist and he brings so much joy to his young patients while donning his bulbous red nose? 

OK, it seemed a 'no brainer' to definitely support this fundraiser  and I purchased red noses for both my book group, the Happy Bookers, and the Jazzercise girls. Ok, some gals were a bit reluctant to don their noses for a public photo but even some of the nay sayers got into it after realizing how most folks were game. That good ole peer pressure. Their demeanor certainly changed as they saw each other. One can not help smile at someone wearing a red nose.

The Happy Bookers were indeed happy donning their red noses even after reading a pretty depressing book this month...

And even my Jazzercise class registrars greeted everyone wearing their red noses, one month before Walgreen's official red nose day this week.

And the class did pose for a pic with their jazz hands...

Walgreen's intention is a sincere endeavor for sure. Yet, it was none other than my Natureman who made a valid point stating that women poverty needed to be eradicated in order to help this phenomena of even the richest country in the world.  SO he asks me the question of what do women working at Walgreen's earn. I had no clue so of course I googled it. The 'average' customer sales associate earns $8.35/hr and the majority of sales associates if you've noticed are women. WOW, I guess that 's no laughing matter even if you have a Red Nose on.

What you may/may not realize is to earn a 'living' wage of $30,000/ yr an employee would need to earn $15.00/hr.  Yep. Try feeding a family of four on even the 30,000. So maybe Walgreen's should pay a minimum wage to help their employees live above poverty level and their children won't have to live in poverty...

Sure we can help support fighting poverty by buying noses and perhaps businesses like Walgreens could also make sure their employees receive the wages they deserve to live above the poverty level. It's really no laughing matter Red Nose or Not. Maybe you could mention that to their store management as you buy your Red Nose... It couldn't hurt. In fact I bet the sales associate who got you their manager probably would be wearing a big smile themselves.