Kohl’s department store will donate $2 million in grants to community-based nonprofits across the country, the company recently announced.
The store says that the donation is in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The company is also engaging its employees in the first ever Kohl’s National Volunteers Go Green Event.
Through the Kohl’s volunteer program called A-Team, store volunteers will support youth-serving nonprofits through participation in environmentally based work, for which Kohl’s says it will support with the corporate grants. Kohl’s associates will volunteer for events including working with the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee to clean up Riverside Park.
Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, says that the department store’s employees are giving back to the community and are participating in environmental cleanups for the benefit to society’s future generations.
"Kohl’s associates are giving back and going green, continuing the company’s steadfast commitment to environmental leadership and volunteerism nationwide," says Gardner. "Serving our communities is part of who we are at Kohl’s, and as National Volunteer Week and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day approach, our associates will be out in force across the country making a meaningful difference for kids, furthering environmental progress and having a powerful financial impact on local organizations."
Kohl’s volunteers will also participate in the Creek to Bay Clean Up, working by the water in San Diego. The store volunteers will also pitch in to clean up Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.
The company says that year-round its volunteers support youth-based nonprofits, projects that are matched by Kohl’s with $500 grants to the organizations. Kohl’s says that its Cares for Kids program has donated $126 million to support children since 2000.
Kohl’s isn’t the only big-box chain that has recently contributed to youth initiatives. Walmart donated $3 million to The Arc for its efforts to increase the involvement of disabled youth in social activities, community affairs and employment.
Every day around the world, drug and alcohol addiction is wreaking havoc of catastrophic proportions. Marriages break up, families are destroyed, a child’s future is set at risk, jobs are lost, countless drug-related acts of violence happen, and the potential of yet another life is never fulfilled. The ripple effect of addiction and the cost to society is incalculable. Governments have been fighting the “war on drugs” for decades now, and drugs seem to be winning. In the midst of the overwhelming devastation, Teen Challenge is a first-hope responder to individuals, families and communities.
Teen Challenge believes in second chances. Our purpose is to facilitate life transformation for the boys, girls, men and women whose lives have been affected by issues like anger, rebellion, depression, drug use and/or abuse and other life controlling problems. We believe that by providing our students with a fresh perspective, they will have the opportunity to realize their potential and reach their dreams.
Stay Sharp has been created to impact students in the community with a clear and urgent call to personal and peer drug abuse prevention. This positive message reaches out to steer the hearts and minds of this current generation towards a better path.
Stay Sharp opens with a hard hitting, high energy prevention message regarding abuse and it’s consequences. This visually dramatic presentation features Teen Challenge students telling of their personal journeys toward destruction that includes a precise description of the “facts,lies and costs” of illicit drug use. These speakers have walked in the shoes and will provide a relevant and lasting connection to reality.
Stay Sharp is a community service of Teen Challenge. It’s purpose is to prevent young people from ever starting down the path of destructive addictions. This program also provides a message of hope and freedom to those who are already bound by substance abuse. Teen Challenge also provides faith-based recovery services throughout the community and State for all individuals who struggle with life controlling issues.
Stay Sharp will impact students in a variety of settings , from school classrooms and assemblies to youth groups, whether large or small. Trained presenters can work with educators, youth pastors and/or civic leaders to address the unique issues of the local community. We dedicated to tell about our personal transition from poor choices to recovery and health.Thank you.
We would like to take part in any available grants that would help us reach the lost at all cost. Thanks
I am a committee member/Advisor for the Murphy Police Explorer Post 2005, in Murphy, Texas. Our organization is geared toward the youth (ages 14 – 21) in Collin County, Texas. Our membership is comprised of students from the Plano ISD (67%) and the Wylie ISD (33%). Police Explorers learn about the law, and about the application and enforcement of the law. Their training includes active participation in scenarios simulating those encountered by sworn law enforcement officers.
The Explorer program teaches leadership, accountability, responsibility, and builds character, while preparing our youth for a career in law enforcement, or any other career choice.
We are seeking the support of our local area businesses to help send our Post to the Explorer’s National Competition in July 2012 in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Our needs stem from uniforms and training equipment to trip costs. We estimate the direct cost of the trip to be approximately $12,000, which includes registration and travel expenses.
We are an unfunded volunteer organization, operating under the City of Murphy, Texas. We would appreciate any help that Kohl’s can provide. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, either by phone at (214) 763-8869, or e-mail at vic@the-walters.com.