Red Nose Institute: Remembering Our Troops


Founded in 2007, the Red Nose Institute, a non profit corporation designed to put a smile on the faces of our United States deployed military troops overseas. In 2016, a post on the Red Nose Institute's Facebook page announced that Sweet Pea and Pappy had to closed down their website since the funds just weren't forthcoming to continue it. In May of the same year another post was made:

"Hi folks, we finally had to stop sending noses at all-Pappy and I were funding the whole thing and it just became too much. We thank all who encouraged us and supported us in this endeavor. We have so many precious pictures, letters, and thank you notes. Apparently this touched the hearts of a lot of folks and that is what it was about. We wanted to send love and laughter to our military and their families-and we feel we succeeded. Much love and prayers are still sent. May God bless you all! Sweet Pea and Pappy".

So the site's domain registration eventually expired and the site disappeared from the web. In 2018 a new owner of the site decided to keep a historical record of this wonderful idea and reposted an edited version of the site's archived content from 2009 and some outside sources. Kudos to Sweet Pea, Pappy, and everyone else who participated.

 

The Red Nose Institute     

One Smile at a Time...

The Red Nose Institute is a non profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation designed to put a smile on the faces of our troops overseas.

Designed by a clown and with the help of clowns and friends around the world, this program was launched in July 2007. The idea is for folks who care about our military to donate red foam noses. Monetary donations are also accepted and used to purchase even more noses and also to help with mailing costs. The noses are then mailed to U.S. troops deployed anywhere overseas. A letter is enclosed with each package telling that the folks sending them are extremely proud of our military and thankful for what they are doing on our behalf. Servicemen and women are encouraged to share the noses with someone who might need a smile and possibly to share them with the nearby children. There is NO COST to our military or to anyone requesting noses.

We all know that relieving stress is of the utmost importance! If sending red noses to troops can help do this, our job has been accomplished!


If you would like to donate to this cause, please mail red foam noses, or a check to the address above, or use our convenient PayPal Button on the left. If you are a clown, include a picture of yourself and we will send it with the package!

Requests are already coming in from military units who want to be included in this project! If you have the address of a military unit, or someone special whom you would like to participate, please send it to the above e-mail address or to the  P. O. Box. Or, if you are deployed and would like to receive noses, contact us! The names & addresses are NEVER passed along!

Our thanks for your participation in helping our troops smile and in supporting this war effort. Our prayers and best wishes to you and to our military! May God Bless!

Sweet Pea & Pappy
The Red Nose Institute

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

Pappy

Retired Air Force
  Former Marine

Sweet Pea

Psychiatric Nurse
Former Air Force Brat

 

15,000 NOSES

That is how many noses have been sent overseas!

TheRNI just returned from the Pentagon and Andrews AFB! As a member of America Supports You, we were honored with an invitation to attend a concert and an open house/air show. The reception we received was incredible and we thank everyone involved!

We  are receiving some great pictures! Thanks to all of you who have given permission to print these!
You make Us happy

 



 

REVIEWS

 

Your web site brought tears to my eyes. Of all the ideas and ways I have seen people show support I think yours is one of the most original, and how true... you just can't help but smile when you see these (pictures) and how thankful I am to you for your ministry. May the Lord bless you and keep our service men and women safe.
Darla
Proud Navy Mom

WOW! That's the only word that comes to my mind right now. This unit has had some difficult times downrange (in Iraq), and the thought that not only are you wanting to do something to brighten their days and help in developing relationships, but that you are ready and willing to act on your offer immediately is overwhelming.
Ruth
US Army

The Red Nose Institute Is a Fabulous Idea!
Ed, Kansas City, MO

I am behind you 150% and will do anything I can to help!
Pam, Des Moines, IA

I LOUDLY applaud and acknowledge your inititative in creating a project that will bring joy to thousands of people!
Elaine "Val N Tine", NY

What a wonderful project you have undertaken for our troops!!!
Mayor Clancey the Clown, Ocilla, GA

I am a Retired U.S. Naval Officer & understand the importance of receiving care packages & humor when overseas away from your family. Good luck with this project and may God bless these efforts!
Bubba, Orange Park, FL

I have been under fire in harm's  way & can tell you that the troops love things that are out of the ordinary. It is a great way to relieve stress. If somebody had sent us clown noses while I was in Southeast Asia, I am sure the guys in my outfit would have loved it!
Paul, Albany, NY

Our alley sold noses at a public event to pay for noses-we will be sending you 1000!
The Electric City Clown Alley, Loudonville,  NY

THANK YOU for inspiring others to think more about the troops-we plan on holding fundraisers to purchase noses for you!
Sparky, Des Moines, IA

Our NV national guard unit was inspired by your amazing silliness and the convinced an internet merchant (MoonAtMidnight) to donate a carton of Batman T shirts for their Red Nose Batman campaign (picture attached). So in addition to the red noses (paid for by Ryan Durham's dad) the entire unit each wore a Batman shirt to distract them from the stress of service in the line of fire. Batman and red noses go together quite naturally and although there were some comments about Batman becoming the Joker, the shirts were another great distraction from the formality of their uniforms.
Darlene
Proud Army Brat


WOW! That's the only word that comes to my mind right now. This unit has had some difficult times downrange (in Iraq), and the thought that not only are you wanting to do something to brighten their days and help in developing relationships, but that you are ready and willing to act on your offer immediately is overwhelming.
Ruth
US Army

The Red Nose Institute Is a Fabulous Idea!
Ed, Kansas City, MO

I am behind you 150% and will do anything I can to help!
Pam, Des Moines, IA

I LOUDLY applaud and acknowledge your inititative in creating a project that will bring joy to thousands of people!
Elaine "Val N Tine", NY

What a wonderful project you have undertaken for our troops!!!
Mayor Clancey the Clown, Ocilla, GA

I am a Retired U.S. Naval Officer & understand the importance of receiving care packages & humor when overseas away from your family. Good luck with this project and may God bless these efforts!
Bubba, Orange Park, FL


I have been under fire in harm's  way & can tell you that the troops love things that are out of the ordinary. It is a great way to relieve stress. If somebody had sent us clown noses while I was in Southeast Asia, I am sure the guys in my outfit would have loved it!
Paul, Albany, NY

Our alley sold noses at a public event to pay for noses-we will be sending you 1000!
The Electric City Clown Alley, Loudonville,  NY

THANK YOU for inspiring others to think more about the troops-we plan on holding fundraisers to purchase noses for you!
Sparky, Des Moines, IA


I love what you and The Red Nose Institute are doing! Perhaps, a red nose ought to be given to everyone at birth-as a reminder to enjoy life and not to take themselves too seriously!
Joyce T., Norwich, CT

We completely support your mission and welcome the opportunity to assist in any way we can! Very rewarding! KUDOS for all of your great works!
Pam, Des Moines, IA
Korn Patch Klowns

It is amazing to see how something as simple as that (a red nose) just puts a little smile on their faces, brings out the child inside, and allows them to be silly and play for a few minutes. One (soldier) even serenaded me with a great rendition of "Rudolph"! Thank you for your quick reply and doing what you said you would do. I can now recommend your organization to other units downrange, more smiles to share!
Ruth
US Army




 

U.S. Soldiers from Bravo Troop, 2nd Platoon, 1-150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron (ARS), 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), 1st Cavalry Division from Bluefield, W.Va, along with Iraqi Army soldiers conduct humanitarian aid drops of school supplies to local schools in the Qarghuli and Yusifiyah areas, outside Baghdad, Iraq, Oct. 15, 2009. In total, members of the 1-150th were able to distribute over 150 book bags, 250 notebooks, and numerous boxes of crayons, pencils and other school supplies to underprivileged students helping to foster learning and academic achievement. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Edwin L. Wriston/ Released)

 

 

 

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