Kohl’s honors helpful youths

The department store offers scholarships to kids who volunteer to help others.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s is looking for some kids who donate their time and effort to help others.

The specialty department store has a Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program and has given more than 7,000 scholarships and prizes totaling over $1.5 million to youth volunteers nationwide since 2001.

This year, the plan is to award another 1,900 kids ages 6 to 18 with $300,000 in scholarships and prizes. Awards range from $50 to $5,000 to recognize their selfless acts.

Statistics show that America’s youth contribute more than 1.3 billion hours of community service each year, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, which estimates that 15.5 million youths participate in volunteer activities. That’s nearly twice the adult volunteering rate.

Last year’s national Kids Who Care Scholarship winners included a 9-year-old who raised $19,000 to buy 23,000 pounds of food for a local food pantry, a 12-year-old who raised more than $20,000 for kids with life-threatening illnesses and a 17-year-old who founded a school group to increase student and community autism awareness.

“We’ve seen kids take volunteering to new heights by creating their own community programs, teaching younger kids to read after school and hosting birthday parties to benefit animal shelters, among other good deeds – their compassion is evident and inspiring,” said Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Kohl’s Department Stores.

To nominate a young volunteer for a scholarship, visit www.kohlskidswhocare.com. Nominations are being accepted now through March 15.

Two nominees from each of Kohl’s 900-plus stores will win a $50 Kohl’s gift card, and 190 of them will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward post-secondary education. Ten volunteers will earn national recognition winning scholarships worth $5,000 toward post-secondary education. Kohl’s will also contribute $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on behalf of each national winner.

The Kids Who Care Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares for Kids, a program focused on improving the lives of children.