Kohl’s, Children’s Hospital team up to fight childhood obesity

The Kohl's Healthy Champions program at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital recently kicked off its 2013-2014 nutrition and physical activity awareness campaign at the Farmers Market in Hershey. To help fuel the effort, Kohl's Department Stores presented the Children's Hospital with a check for $153,285.

Representatives from the Children's Hospital and PRO Wellness Center, along with the Hershey Bears mascot, Coco the Bear, and Penn State's mascot, the Nittany Lion, were in attendance to teach kids about the importance of good nutrition and physical activity.

“Obesity rates in children continue to rise in the United States,” said Gil Pak, operations director for Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. “Thanks to funding from Kohl's, we're able to raise awareness and educate youth and families on the importance of making healthy choices.”

Since 2006, Kohl's has donated $1,271,685 to the Children's Hospital. The money supports programs and events for advancing nutrition and activity awareness in schools and communities. This year, the Kohl's Healthy Champions program also focuses on community outreach, including sponsored healthy activities at family events throughout central Pennsylvania.

The Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program supports the Kohl's Healthy Champions program at Penn State Hershey. The merchandise program is funded through the purchase of Kohl's Cares® books and plush toys found at Kohl's locations in York, Lancaster, Lebanon, Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Hanover, Colonial Park, Williamsport and Selinsgrove. All net profits support children's health and educational opportunities which make a positive difference in the lives of children in our community. Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million through this merchandise program. In addition to that program, Kohl’s Cares® features the Kohl’s Cares® Scholarship Program, which last year recognized more than 2,300 young volunteers with more than $400,000 in scholarships and prizes. Through Kohl's Associates in Action volunteer program, more than 669,000 associates have donated more than 2.2 million hours of their time since 2001, and Kohl's has donated more than $63 million to youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Kohl's also offers fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.

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