August 11, 2003
KOHL'S RECOGNIZES AMERICA'S YOUNG HUMANITARIANS
Ten National Kohl's Kids Who Care®
Winners Receive $5,000 Scholarships For Volunteer Efforts
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., August 11, 2003 — Everyone
knows that computer literacy opens doors to opportunity because
in the information age, more and more employers are requiring it.
And yet, many young people lack access to computers and the advantages
that access affords. Four years ago, Kohl's Kids Who Care® national
winner Elizabeth Scoville set out to do something about it.
With the simple idea of matching supply with demand, the East Bernstadt,
Ky., student formed partnerships with businesses that were upgrading
their systems and discarding old computers. She and her classmates
refurbished the computers and gave them to young people in her community
who might otherwise be left behind by the information revolution.
So remarkable were her efforts, the state granted funding to help
expand the Kentucky Computers for Kids Network to benefit youth
statewide. In four short years, 17-year-old Elizabeth and her friends
have recycled and distributed more than 170 computers, dramatically
changing the lives of children across Kentucky.
Elizabeth's initiative and generosity earned her a spot among the
10 national winners of the Kohl's Kids Who Care® program, one
of the largest youth volunteerism recognition programs in America.
In recognition of outstanding service to the community and to encourage
other youth to get involved, Kohl's Department Stores announced
today the 10 winners - five each in the 6-12 age bracket and the
13-18 age bracket. Each will receive a $5,000 post-secondary education
scholarship.
"At Kohl's, we believe it is important to encourage young
people to volunteer and make a difference in their communities,"
said Julie Gardner, senior vice president at Kohl's. "The Kohl's
Kids Who Care® program not only gives us the annual opportunity
to reward some outstanding kids and share their great stories, but
it also provides the kind of recognition that can engage even more
young people to volunteer."
Leadership and generosity are trademarks shared by this year's
Kohl's Kids Who Care® winners. As young as 8 and no older than
18, they tackled community problems single-handedly, sometimes inspiring
others to follow their lead. They raised their community's appreciation
of cultural diversity, aided the elderly and the disabled, mentored
younger children and helped the poor.
Representing the best of America's youth, the 2003 Kohl's Kids
Who Care® national scholarship winners are (divided by age group):
Ages 6-12
Lauren Bothwell, 10, Harlingen, Texas — Two years
ago, Lauren decided to do something wonderful for children who
might not have a lot of the things she felt very fortunate to
have. With the modest aim of putting smiles on the faces of sick
and injured children, Lauren launched a toy drive at her school.
She sent 650 notes to solicit fellow students, erected a collection
drop-off box on school property, and hand-made thank-you pins
for schoolmates who donated toys. In her first toy drive, she
collected more than 1,000 toys, books and videos for the pediatric
ward at the local hospital. Lauren has since conducted more toy
drives, establishing "Lauren's Toy Box" as an ongoing
program that collects toys and distributes them to children who
are hospitalized.
Thomas Fortner, 11, Taylorsville, N.C. — Thomas pitched
in to keep afloat his neighbor's family farm after the neighbor
lost an arm in an accident. Ensuring that his neighbor's livelihood
would continue, Thomas worked diligently on the farm every day
after school, grading eggs, feeding the animals and performing
various chores. "He took the place of my right arm,"
said poultry farmer Rodger White about Thomas, who learned to
drive a tractor and operate other farm equipment while White recuperated.
"When times were tough, Thomas was always there for me. He
is a wonderful young man."
Nicole Seitelman, 11, Port Jefferson, N.Y. — Inspired
by the National Council on Aging's Soaps-N-Stuff for Seniors program,
Nicole created a program at her school to collect soap and other
personal items for seniors. She also designed and distributed
flyers to promote the program. And, working through the National
Council on Aging, the collected items were distributed by the
Girl Scouts to senior citizens centers, nursing homes and individuals
in her community. Inspired by her efforts, several additional
schools in Suffolk and Nassau counties have developed similar
programs.
Meagan Sokol, 12, Uniontown, Pa. — Thousands of abandoned
animals are rescued by the Fayette Friends of Animals Shelter,
the organization that benefits from Meagan's dedication and hard
work. To secure new homes for the animals, Meagan spends time
learning about the animals and writing personality profiles for
a quarterly newsletter distributed to would-be adopters. Meagan
also works hard to maintain the shelter, cleaning the kennels
and exercising the dogs. The work young Meagan does is "physically
demanding, dirty and mentally stressful," writes shelter
board member Cheryl Qualters, who nominated Meagan. "Her
efforts to find new homes for the animals helps ensure that they
will never find themselves in a homeless situation again."
Christa Todoroff, 8, Torrance, Calif. — Christa is
a friend and advocate for children with special needs at her school
and in her community. By offering friendship, Christa has helped
them assimilate into mainstream activities while promoting an
environment of inclusion amongst her peers. Her volunteerism includes
assisting in therapy sessions, feeding and coordinating play activities
with children in her neighborhood.
Ages 13-18
Kevin Koo, 18, Nashua, N.H. — Kevin founded Citizens
of the World, an organization made up of classmates at Nashua
Senior High School whose aim is to improve race relations among
students. His Citizens of the World organization has expanded
its reach beyond the school's borders, creating the community's
first "Festival of Cultures," and the "Caring Across
Continents" global literacy program, which collects books
for overseas kids who cannot afford them. Kevin also spearheaded
the creation of Not in Our School, an award-winning anti-racism
program for use in high schools throughout the United States.
Matthew Lerner, 17, Middletown, Md. — Matthew led
a partnership between the City of Frederick (Md.) Youth Center
and high school students called the Service Learning Advisory
Board that re-energized the center's volunteer corps. He wrote
the governor to secure funding, met with community leaders to
determine the needs of its at-risk children and developed programs
to meet those needs. In addition to soliciting donations to support
the program, he has recruited some 20 of his peers for the partnership,
which has developed and completed a variety of service projects,
including tutoring, mentoring and art activities.
Christina Padilla, 18, Glendale, Calif. — An active
volunteer for more than eight years, Christina established the
first International Ballet Folklorico in Glendale. She created
the dance troupe to promote cultural pride within her community,
and inspire at-risk students to get involved in a wholesome, fun,
after-school activity. Focused on creating experiences that are
memorable for her peers, Christina uses her creativity and resourcefulness
to secure materials and funds to support the dance troupe's activities.
In addition to raising money for more than 200 costumes, she sewed
capes using drapes she found at a store and repaired and dyed
donated shoes for members who couldn't afford new shoes on their
own. She also organized and publicized the troupe's performances.
Elizabeth Scoville, 17, East Bernstadt, Ky. — By
creating the Kentucky Computers for Kids Network, Elizabeth created
a mutually beneficial connection between businesses, schools and
needy children in her community. Her organization, a local community
service that she later expanded to cover the entire state, keeps
old computers out of landfills. It also offers her peers in science
clubs statewide the opportunity to serve their community by refurbishing
computers for disadvantaged youth, who otherwise have no access
to computer education. Her organization has repaired and distributed
more than 170 computers, changing the lives of many children.
Of the program, one recipient said she wished on a star, and her
dream came true.
Keith Thelen, 15, Mora, Minn. — Applying his computer
skills to close the technology gap, Keith reached out to economically
disadvantaged youth in his community by giving them access to
computers and computer education. Keith procured, created and
maintains a computer network in the Lone Pine Community Center,
which delivers after-school, summer and age-appropriate programs
to high-risk youth and their families. Keith also worked to provide
free wireless Internet access to several families that didn't
own telephones.
The national winners were selected from nearly 7,300 nominations
submitted in Kohl's stores nationwide. In addition to a $5,000
scholarship, Kohl's also will contribute $1,000 to a non-profit
organization on behalf of each national winner.
Since 2001, Kohl's has recognized and rewarded more 2,250 young
people for outstanding service to their communities through the
Kohl's Kids Who Care® program. This year's 10 national winners
were selected from 94 regional winners in two age categories,
6-12 and 13-18. Announced in July, regional winners each received
a $1,000 scholarship. In June, Kohl's announced 883 store-level
winners who each received a $50 Kohl's gift card. Winners were
identified on the basis of initiative, leadership, creativity
and generosity.
Kohl's stores will begin accepting nominations for the 2004 volunteer
recognition program in February of 2004. Applications will be
available at all Kohl's Department Stores and at www.kohls.com.
Kohl's Kids Who Care® is part of the company's Kohl's Cares
for Kids® program, which raises funds for children's hospitals,
features fundraising gift cards for local schools and non-profit
youth groups and provides an employee program to encourage volunteerism.
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's is a family-focused, value
oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced
national brand apparel, shoes, accessories and home products.
The company operates 492 stores in 34 states. For a list of store
locations, or for additional information, visit Kohl's Website
at www.kohls.com.
###
Media Relations Contact:
Steve Mann, PR Coordinator, (262) 703-6530
Agency Contact:
Lori Sansoucie, Weber Shandwick , (314) 552-6723
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