Kohl’s and SGMC Donate Funding to Local Schools
Kickoff for SGMC Foundation’s Connecting Kids program

Kohl's Department Store, through the Kohl's Cares program, has given over $115,000 to the SGMC Foundation in the past four years to promote children’s health and wellness in our community. In collaboration with our great community partner, Kohl’s, we are here today to promote wellness, address the alarming increase in childhood obesity and emphasize good nutrition and physical fitness in our schools.

Since many of our schools, both public and private, have experienced cutbacks in funding, we are happy to present grants of $46,555 in total to benefit all elementary, middle, and private schools in Valdosta/Lowndes County. These grants will purchase physical education equipment and/or other tools to teach kids about healthy lifestyles.

“Kohl’s has been a great supporter of children’s hospitals and children’s health across the country. We are very fortunate to have such a great partner here in Valdosta,” said Elizabeth Vickers, South Georgia Medical Center’s Foundation Director. “Through our newly developed program Connecting Kids we will be able to address children’s health and wellness issues on a variety of levels.”

Approximately 13 million U.S. children and adolescents are obese, with a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile. Obesity is a major risk factor for many serious health conditions including type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers. According to the 2009 Georgia Data Summary, 28,000 (24%) third grade children are obese and 56,000 (15%) middle school students are obese. Health officials are encouraging more physical activity and better nutrition as ways to combat childhood obesity.

Kohl's commitment to Connecting Kids is made possible through the Kohl's Cares? cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys where 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl's has raised more than $150 million dollars through this merchandise program. In addition, Kohl's Cares features a scholarship program, which recognizes more than 2,100 young volunteers with a total of $410,000 in scholarships and prizes this year; the Associates in Action program, which encourages associate volunteerism and provided more than $10 million in grants to youth-focused nonprofit organizations last year alone; and fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.kohlscorporation.com.

Current items for sale at Kohl's Department Store which proceeds go to
Kohl's Cares for Kids Campaign.