Fundraising for troops gets FW teen $1K

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. (WANE) - Thursday, Kohl’s Department Stores 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, Alison Mansfield, 14, from Fort Wayne stood out among nearly 18,000 nominees nationwide for her remarkable community service by creating Sock for Soldiers which sent over 16,000 items, supplies and letters to troops overseas.

“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.”

Winners were selected based on initiative, leadership, creativity and generosity. Thursday’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.