DEERFIELD, Ill.  — Walgreens today crowned Atlanta as the “Red Nose Day Hometown Hero” and winner of its first “Every One Counts Hometown Challenge”.  Over the eight weeks, the Challenge has ranked the top U.S. markets for overall fundraising activity, leading up to and following Red Nose Day, which was May 24. With a formal proclamation to the victorious city, Atlanta will be designated as the “Red Nose Day Hometown Hero” for the next 12 months.

The challenge featured 10 U.S. markets – deemed Walgreens ‘Red Rally Markets’ for their integral role in helping to rally their communities to help end child poverty – going nose-to-nose in a challenge to raise the most money for the Red Nose Day cause during the eight-week campaign.

The final rankings in the Every One Counts Hometown Challenge are:

1. Atlanta, Ga.
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Miami, Fla.
4. Los Angeles
5. Phoenix, Ariz.
6. Chicago
7. Seattle, Wash.
8. Philadelphia, Penn.
9. Newark, N.J./New York City
10. Houston, Texas