MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., – On July 9, 2009 Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE:KSS) honored nearly 200 kids for their volunteer efforts with $1,000 scholarships toward post-secondary education. Through the Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program, 11 youth from the Chicago area stood out among nearly 18,000 nominees nationwide for their remarkable community service. With the cost of tuition rising at nearly three times the rate of family income and student borrowing for college more than doubling over the last decade[1], financial aid such as the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship is more important than ever to help families make college accessible to their children.
“These young volunteers truly stand out and deserve to be recognized for making their communities a better place and exemplifying the spirit of volunteerism,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “The Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program gives us the privilege to reward these great kids with scholarships and also to help ease the cost of post-secondary education.”
Local recipients of $1,000 scholarships are:
•David Burchell, 18, Chicago – David volunteered to teach math, science and technology programs to young students.
•Philip Weber, 17, Des Plaines – Philip raised more than $45,000 for care packages for veterans.
•Julia Smith, 10, Elk Grove Village – Julia sold homemade pins to raise more than $2,700 for autism research.
•Tony Busca, 12, Frankfort – Tony created a charity which fixes old bikes and then donates them to children in need.
•Reid Colliander, 13, Glen Ellyn – A brain tumor surgery survivor, Reid raised more than $100,000 for brain tumor research through lemonade stands and bike rides.
•Kathryn Trela, 17, Glencoe – Kathryn collected more than 50,000 books for schools serving at-risk children.
•Patrick Kenney, 17, Homewood – Patrick volunteered to landscape and garden for a Cancer Support Center.
•Jake Lukacek, 7, Mokena – During the holidays, Jake raised donations to adopt a family in need giving toys, food and clothing.
• Emily Laughead, 10, North Aurora – Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Emily raised more than $29,800 for diabetes research.
• Sydney Martin, 11, Wilmette – Diagnosed with a rare cell disease, Sydney raised nearly $50,000 for research by selling homemade jewelry.
•Eamonn Duffy, 10, Schererville – Eamonn began a recycling program at his school.
Winners were selected based on initiative, leadership, creativity and generosity. Today’s regional winners now qualify for one of 10 national scholarships worth $5,000. Kohl’s will also contribute $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on behalf of each national winner. National winners will be announced at the end of July. In total, Kohl’s plans to award more than $350,000 in scholarships and prizes this summer. Since its inception in 2001, more than $1.8 million in scholarships and prizes has been awarded to nearly 9,000 inspiring kids nationwide.
The Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares for Kids, Kohl’s philanthropic program which is focused on improving the lives of children. Kohl’s Cares for Kids benefits children’s health and education initiatives nationwide through its merchandise program featuring books and plush toys, a children’s hospital program, fundraising gift cards and the A-Team associate volunteer program.
For more information or a complete list of Kohl’s Kids Who Care regional-level winners, visit www.kohlskids.com.
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. Kohl’s operates 1,022 stores in 49 states. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $126 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares for Kids® philanthropic 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.