Red Nose Day nothing to sneeze at

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Happy faces and red noses!

That pretty much summed up the people inside Bar 101, a unique Johnston establishment that’s become famous for hosting important charity events, during last Thursday evening’s third Annual Walgreens Red Nose Ladies Night.

For starters, owner Pete Matteo and his partners, Justin Lemieux and chef Jamie Beaulieu, rolled out the welcome mat for host and chairlady Kristy Pistacchio perhaps like never before.

The Bar 101 keepers brought in a special disc jockey and treated a standing room only gathering to some special foods like a variety of thin crust pizza and ravioli that Beaulieu created especially for the night.

Add to that eight vendors who displayed their wares that event-goers found perfect to shop for Mother’s Day and the main reason why the event, which is coordinated each year by Walgreens on Plainfield Pike that Pistacchio manages, raised $850.

Even the vendors Monat Hair, NuSkin, Color Street, Purium, Motives/Isotonix, Lipsense, NY Life and Pampered Chef donated a percentage of the proceeds to the Red Nose Day charity.

Likewise, the 3rd Annual Ladies Night featured a special flavor, Red Nose Day cupcakes, that were made and donated exclusively for the event by Don DePetrillo who owns and operates the Original Italian Bakery on Atwood Avenue with 100 percent of the profits going to the designated charity.

There were also a host of raffle prizes and Pistacchio said were absolutely amazing and, of course, people purchased that Walgreens trademark red nose that will be worn by young and old alike on May 24, which is the official Red Nose Day across the country.

”We love doing this event, especially since it helps so many, many children,” Pistacchio explained. “The Red Nose Day Fund raises money to support charities committed to end child poverty.”

Those charities, she noted, include agencies like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Charity: Water, Feeding America and Childrens Health among other such charities helping children all over the world.

”In three yeas we have helped raise over $100 million and helped over 8 millions children living in poverty,” Pistacchio said of the Walgreens-founded Red Nose Day Fund. “We thank everyone here tonight, and those who have contributed in years past, for their wonderful support.”

In keeping with a tradition, Pistacchio and Walgreens started three years ago, elementary schools in Johnston will celebrate Red Nose Day on May 23 and children will wear red and donated $1 to receive their very own red sparkle rose.

”This is so special watching the children support other children,” Pistacchio said. “Teaching them that these are children who do not have the basic necessities we may take for granted.”

Those who’d like to purchase a red nose may do so at any participating Walgreens store. 

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