Kohl’s Celebrates Associates’ Volunteer Efforts During Spring into Service Volunteer Initiative
Associates give back by volunteering at nonprofits across the country
We asked Kohl’s associates across the country to help energize our communities — and they responded! This April, Kohl’s supported associates as they gave back to communities across the nation by offering double rewards dollars for volunteer hours served throughout the month with Kohl’s Spring into Service volunteer Initiative. From food sorting to community cleanups, associates across the country came together to donate their time and talent to deserving nonprofits that are making our communities a better place to live and work.
The numbers are in, and Kohl’s volunteers served more than 17,000 hours in a single month! In recognition of the more than 3,000 associates who volunteered this April, Kohl’s donated more than $850,000 to local nonprofits nationwide.
Our Community: Kohl’s Highlights Volunteer Events Across the Country
Location: Southlake, TX
Event Name: Kids Matter Gala Event
Kohl’s believes healthy communities help support healthy families, so we give back to our communities with money, resources, talent and time.
We strive to drive economic empowerment through conversations, programs and partnerships that improve quality of life in the communities we share.
Check out a few highlights from Kohl’s Spring into Service Volunteer Initiative:
Benefiting Organization: Kids Matter International (KMI)
Kohl's was proud to support Kids Matter International’s (KMI) annual Gala Fundraiser by volunteering to help with the setup of the ballroom, stuffing bags and sorting auction items. KMI’s Gala Fundraiser further strengthens the organization’s mission of clothing thousands of underserved youth throughout local communities. This year's Gala, which is attended by over 300 guests, raised $300,000 through donations and bidding on auction items by the attendees.
“I have been lucky enough to volunteer for numerous Kid's Matter Events over the years, including the annual Gala. It is a pleasure to work with a truly local non-profit, and to be able to see the community live and in person at other events annually that benefits from their efforts, whether it be the Around the Block events, or the Literacy Events that we also help them with. Setting up and preparing for the Gala is a fun experience, and you can see what an undertaking it is to put on such a great fundraiser from the decorations, to the gratis bags for guests, to the set up of the silent auction, and so many more details! It truly is an honor to do what I can to help them!” - Jana Cisneros, Store Manager in Valley Ranch, TX
Benefiting Organization: Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry
Location: Mount Kisco, NY
Event Name: The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry - April Food Distribution
Kohl’s associates assisted Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry by volunteering to distribute a bounty of food to local communities. Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry promotes the health and well-being of the northern Westchester community by providing weekly nutritious food and complementary education and services to those in need. Each week, the Pantry assists, on average, approximately 400 households from northern Westchester, providing staples, frozen proteins, eggs, milk, and fresh produce.
“As a Kohl's volunteer, I have had the privilege of volunteering for many different non-profit organizations. I have to honestly tell you that the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry has been the most fulfilling volunteer event that I have ever participated in. As an advocate of the Kohl's Business Resource Groups (BRG) program, the Food Pantry truly is an all inclusive, diverse place. There are so many individuals either volunteering for or receiving the benefits from the food pantry that fall into one or many of our BRG categories. The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry is an all inclusive place where anyone can come to get food if they have a need.” - Nancy Donofrio, Assistant Store Manager at Kohl’s in Bedford Hills, NY
Benefiting Organization: Frogtown Sports Club
Location: Cashton, WI
Event Name: Adopt a Road Program
Kohl’s volunteers worked with The Frogtown Sports Club to beautify their local community. The Frogtown Sports Club commits to cleaning the highway each spring and fall.
The Adopt a Road Program provides the Frogtown members a clean environment for the area around and near the park.
“We had a big team tackling the two mile section of Highway adopted by the Frogtown Sports Club! We picked up over 25 bags of garbage along the road. What an amazing team effort and we had fun along the way! It felt great when the traffic going by gave us the thumbs up or honked us on as we ventured down the highway. The money raised will be used to keep the ballpark active for the community. We're proud to be part of this tiny town's effort.” - Cherie Buckmaster, Administrative Assistant at Kohl’s in Onalaska, WI
Benefiting Organization: Dirigo Reads
Location: Bangor, ME
Event Name: Dirigo Reads Book Giveaway
Kohl’s volunteers supported Dirigo Reads with sorting, packing, and labeling packages to go to each participating school throughout the state. Dirigo Reads’ mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Maine through literacy by giving first graders in participating schools a brand new book to keep during every month of the school year. Fifty-one schools spread over 13 counties are currently a part of Dirigo Reads. Over three school years, Dirigo Reads will have distributed more than 26,000 books to first graders in participating schools.
“Dirigo Reads is a program we have become familiar with through media coverage and word of mouth. It provides so many opportunities for so many children through creativity and access to books. Of course, we wanted to help out however we could. Through the Kohl’s Volunteer Program, we were able to lend hands to help the packing process, but Kohl’s also makes a monetary donation based on volunteer hours helping out the organization.” - Nicole Brissette, Store Manager at Kohl’s in Bangor, ME
The Spring in Service volunteer initiative is just one component of Kohl’s broader Volunteer Program which has donated more than $184 million in rewards by more than 5.5 million hours to eligible nonprofits across the country since the program's inception in 2001.
Nonprofits Can Request Kohl’s Volunteers
While the Spring into Service Volunteer Initiative is over, nonprofits can engage Kohl’s volunteers all year long.
Kohl’s volunteers are always on the lookout for events in their areas, so if your organization is in need of helping hands, you are encouraged to create volunteer events in the Benevity system and reach out to your local Kohl’s store(s) to spread the word. To create events for Kohl’s volunteers, please refer to our creating volunteer opportunities instruction guide. In addition, visit Corporate.Kohls.com to learn more about the new Kohl’s Volunteer Program guidelines.
About Our Community Partnerships
To learn more about Kohl’s commitment to family health and wellness and Kohl’s national and local community partnerships, visit Corporate.Kohls.com. For more details about other ways Kohl’s is helping the community for the benefit of our associates, customers and other stakeholders, please refer to our 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance Report.
