Today, Kohl’s
Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) announced the 10 national winners of
the Kohl’s
Cares® Scholarship Program. These exceptional youth,
ranging in age from six to 18, are the recipients of a total of
$10,000 in scholarships each for higher education. In addition to the
scholarships, Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization of
each winner’s choice.
“Kohl’s is thrilled to recognize the ten national winners of the Kohl’s
Cares Scholarship Program and we applaud them for the time, energy and
passion they have devoted to helping others and making a difference,”
said Bevin Bailis, Kohl’s senior vice president, communications and
public relations. “Whether it is collecting and distributing more than
200,000 books to children or raising money to purchase AEDs to be placed
at local parks and playgrounds, these children are doing inspiring work
in their communities every day.”
Winners are chosen based on initiative, leadership, generosity and
project benefits and outcome. This year’s winners were selected from
more than 37,000 youth nominees nationwide for their volunteer efforts.
National scholarship recipients include:
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Ryan Anderson, 18, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
After noticing
the piles of school supplies kids toss away, Ryan created The ReLearn
Foundation, dedicated to collecting gently used school supplies to be
donated to students around the world. Last year Ryan collected more
than 1,500 pounds of school supplies that were donated to schools in
Guatemala and Jamaica.
-
Hannah Bergwell, 18, Overland Park, Kansas
After
witnessing her autistic brother’s struggles to build social
relationships with his classmates, Hannah created Art for Autism, an
art club offering a safe, low stress environment for students with
autism to meet, interact and develop relationships with their
classmates. Through various fundraising activities, Art for Autism has
donated $18,000 to Autism Speaks.
-
Dahkota Brown, 15, Jackson, California
After learning
that Native American teens have the highest suicide rates and the
highest high school dropout rates in the United States, Dahkota
created NERDS (Native Education Raising Dedicated Students), a
positive peer-to-peer youth group dedicated to helping Native American
high school students understand the importance of education and create
a network of support.
-
Emily Christensen, 11, Manchester, Connecticut
Emily
created Crayons for Cancer, a nonprofit committed to helping ease the
financial burdens placed on families whose children are suffering from
cancer by selling wax creations made by melting a box of old crayons.
The group has raised more than $73,000 and has built partnerships with
three children’s hospitals in the United States to provide parking
passes, meal tickets and lodging for family members during their
child’s hospital stay.
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Sarah Dewitz, 14, Orlando, Florida
Motivated by her love
of reading and desire to help others, Sarah created the Just One Book
organization and launched a bookmobile to collect and distribute books
to low income families throughout Central Florida. To date, Just One
Book has provided more than 200,000 books to children in Florida and
is expanding services to New Jersey this year.
-
Zachary Rice, 11, Long Valley, New Jersey
While in the
hospital with a hip infection, Zachary found minor pain relief while
playing the hospital’s video gaming system. The distraction motivated
him to start The Action For Distraction 5K Family Fun Run/Walk & Kids
Action Marathon, an event in which more than 300 participants raised
$18,500 last year to provide the hospital with enough money to
purchase 34 new electronic devices for every room on the children's
floor.
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Rachel Ritchie, 10, Vine Grove, Kentucky
After noticing
some disabled children unable to play at the local playground because
the equipment was physically inaccessible, Rachel started Rachel's Fun
For Everyone Project, a plan to build a new area playground that
children of all abilities could enjoy. Through various fundraising
activities, Rachel collected $36,000 for the project and doesn’t plan
on stopping until the accessible playground is complete.
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Adena Rochelson, 14, Fayetteville, New York
Adena created
Operation Soap Dish, an organization that collects and donates
personal and household items to area food pantries and other
organizations that help those less fortunate. Adena has collected more
than 18,000 items and has more than 15 ongoing collection drives.
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Grace Soultanian, 12, Shirley, Massachusetts
Grace created
HEARTSTRONG, a nonprofit that raises awareness and money to purchase
Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), for area schools, athletic
fields and other facilities. Through various fundraising efforts,
Grace has raised $7,000 to help fund seven new AEDs, which are now in
place at local parks and field houses.
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Anna Sun, 12, Canton, Michigan
Wanting to make sure music
lessons and stringed instruments were available to area school
children, Anna started The Little Stars Foundation, a nonprofit
committed to youth music education. Together with local high school
music teachers, the group offers free violin workshops and has raised
more than $1,500 to purchase five violins for children who could not
afford them.
Since the program began in 2001, Kohl’s has recognized more than 22,000
kids, including the 2014 winners, with more than $4.3 million in
scholarships and prizes. This year, Kohl’s recognized more than 2,300
young volunteers with nearly $400,000 in scholarships and prizes. For
more information or a complete list of Kohl’s Cares Scholarship
Program national-, regional-, and local-level winners, visit www.kohlskids.com.
The Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares,
Kohl’s philanthropic program focused on improving the lives of children.
For more information, visit www.kohls.com/cares.
About Kohl’s
Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading specialty department store with 1,160
stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering
families to lead fulfilled lives, the company offers amazing national
and exclusive brands, incredible savings and inspiring shopping
experiences in-store, online at Kohls.com and
via mobile devices. Committed to our communities, Kohl’s has raised more
than $257 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 additional information about Kohl’s philanthropic and
environmental initiatives, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares. For
a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience
of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.
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Copyright Business Wire 2014