Wheaton Youth Awarded Kohl's Scholarship for Volunteerism

The Kohl’s Department Stores’ (NYSE: KSS) Kohl’s Cares® Scholarship Program honors more than 200 deserving volunteers with $1,000 scholarships toward post-secondary education.

Eleven children from the Chicago area were chosen from more than 35,000 nominees nationwide for making a positive impact in their local communities, including Wheaton native William Marchese.

As an active member of his school’s student council, Marchese has recruited 45 area schools to fundraise and raise awareness of the Autism Society of Illinois and has been instrumental in donating more than $17,000 to the organization.

Through the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program, Kohl's is encouraging promising youth to further their education at a time when college costs have risen approximately seven percent per year for decades.
 
“Kohl’s is honored to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the more than 200 regional level Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program winners this year,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “From collecting books for underprivileged children to fundraising for a community food bank, the efforts of these kids are undoubtedly making our communities better places to live and it is a pleasure to recognize and thank them for their work.”

Winners are chosen based on initiative, leadership, generosity and project benefits and outcomes. Each regional-level winner qualifies for one of Kohl’s 10 national scholarships, which will be announced at the end of July. National winners will each receive a total of $10,000 in scholarships and Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on each national winner’s behalf. In total, Kohl’s will recognize more than 2,200 young volunteers with more than $420,000 in scholarships and prizes.
 
In 2012, Kohl’s celebrates its 12th year of rewarding young volunteers. Since the program began in 2001, Kohl’s has recognized more than 17,000 kids, including the 2012 winners, with nearly $3.5 million in scholarships and prizes. The Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares, Kohl’s philanthropic program focused on improving the lives of children. Kohl’s Cares benefits children’s health and education initiatives nationwide through its merchandise program, featuring special books and plush toys where 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s initiatives; fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations and the Associates in Action associate volunteer program. For more information on the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program, visit kohlskids.com.

Information courtesy of a press release.