'A lot of fun, a lot of smiles': Red Nose Day continues to gain momentum

The red noses shined bright this week in Halton Hills. 

Now in its second year since being relaunched, Red Nose Day is continuing to gain momentum.

“It’s going in the right direction,” said organizer Nancy Wilkes. “It was a lot of fun and there were a lot of smiles.”

That was the goal when Acton resident Jack Carpenter dreamed up 'Lighten Up, Canada' Day in 1992. Having people don red noses every Feb. 6 (Carpenter’s birthday) was meant to brighten up the dreary days of February.

When the former Acton Citizen of the Year died last January, Wilkes was inspired to revive what Carpenter started. It now includes a fundraising component to raise money for local charities.

More than a dozen businesses purchased red noses for $2 each to distribute to their staff and customers. 

One gas station employee in town was offering the noses to customers and sold $46 worth. 

“Those are the grassroots things I really like,” Wilkes said. “That’s what I enjoy.”

In the end, $778 was raised for the Townsend Smith Foundation, more than doubling last year’s charitable contribution.

And Wilkes hopes Red Nose Day continues to grow. She plans to get in touch with businesses earlier next year, and hopes to get schools more involved.

“Once you start it, you have fun and it becomes a tradition,” WIlkes said. “The one year Jack had people lined down Mill Street wearing their noses. I’d love to recreate that.”