Kohl’s Department Store, through the Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, will announce a $306,153 donation to Nationwide Children’s Hospital during a check presentation ceremony Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium’s Fall Festival. The donations were collected from Kohl’s stores located in the central Ohio area. Kohl’s has gifted more than $2.5 million to Nationwide Children’s since 1999.
“The Kohl’s Cares program has been instrumental in funding wellness and injury prevention programs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Their commitment is helping us keep kids safe and provide a valuable service to our community,” said Niki Shafer, vice president of Annual Giving at Nationwide Children’s.
The more than $300,000 donated by Kohl’s this year funds the K.I.S.S. (Kohl’s Is Sold on Safety) program at Nationwide Children’s. K.I.S.S., implemented by the hospital in 2010 through the generous support of Kohl’s, is designed to educate the community on the prevention of the most common injuries seen in the emergency department at Nationwide Children’s. Education topics include fire, car seat, bike and winter sports safety. Each season, an educational activity booklet and coloring contest are made available to the public, and children become eligible to win prizes by coloring and submitting the contest page.
During the Fall Festival this weekend at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, K.I.S.S. will be a special part of the Jack Hanna “Animals on Safari” stage. At the event, there will be educational materials from Nationwide Children’s about how kids and parents can play it safe during the fall and winter seasons. There will also be a bike helmet giveaway to outfit children with proper head protection for biking and fall/winter activities.
Kohl’s commitment to Nationwide Children’s is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys with 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million dollars nationwide through this merchandise program. In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl’s Cares® features the Kohl’s Cares® Scholarship Program, which last year recognized more than 2,100 young volunteers with a total of $410,000 in scholarships and prizes. Through Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteer program, more than 385,000 associates have donated more than 1.2 million hours of their time since 2001, and Kohl’s has donated more than $35 million to youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Kohl’s also offers fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.
About Kohl’s Department Stores
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,097 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.