Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

Kohl's Department Stores Announces Nationwide Volunteer Event, Will Give $2 Million to Local Nonprofits in Celebration of National Volunteer Week and Earth Day

Kohl's associates are giving back and going green from coast to coast

Kohl's Department Stores Announces Nationwide Volunteer Event, Will Give $2 Million to Local Nonprofits in Celebration of National Volunteer Week and Earth Day

Kohl's associates are giving back and going green from coast to coast

Published 04-06-10

Submitted by Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl's Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) is sending tens of thousands of its associates to volunteer in communities nationwide during the company's first ever Kohl's National Volunteers Go Green Event (NVGG) in celebration of two April events "“ National Volunteer Week and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Through Kohl's associate volunteer program, A-Team, Kohl's volunteers will support youth-serving nonprofit organizations by participating in an environmentally-based activity, and Kohl's will match those efforts with corporate grants. Through this initiative, Kohl's will donate $2 million in grants to nonprofits nationwide.

"Kohl's associates are giving back and going green, continuing the company's steadfast commitment to environmental leadership and volunteerism nationwide," said Julie Gardner, Kohl's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "Serving our communities is part of who we are at Kohl's, and as National Volunteer Week and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day approach, our associates will be out in force across the country making a meaningful difference for kids, furthering environmental progress and having a powerful financial impact on local organizations."

In April, groups of Kohl's associates will be volunteering coast to coast for events including:

  • Working with the Urban Ecology Center to clean up Riverside Park in Milwaukee, Wis.

  • Participating in the "Creek to Bay Clean Up" in San Diego, Calif.

  • Pitching in to clean up Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Wash.

Year-round, Kohl's A-Team volunteers support a range of youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Kohl’s then matches volunteer efforts with $500 grants to the organization. During the NVGG initiative, Kohl's has increased the matching grant amounts, and these efforts will result in $2 million in grants for community organizations nationwide.

Committed to Giving Back
Kohl's strives to be an active member of each community it serves. Part of Kohl's community partnership is the Kohl's A-Team volunteer program. Since 2001, Kohl's associates nationwide have participated in volunteer activities that support children. When associates form teams of five or more to support a local children's charity, Kohl's supports the team's participation with a corporate grant given directly to the charity. Since 2001:

  • More than 248,000 Kohl’s associates have volunteered

  • Kohl's has executed nearly 40,000 A-Team events

  • More than 828,000 volunteer hours were completed

  • More than $21 million was donated to local nonprofits

The A-Team volunteer program is part of Kohl's overall philanthropic platform, Kohl's Cares for Kids®, which is committed to supporting children's health and education initiatives nationwide. Since 2000, Kohl's has raised more than $126 million through its Kohl's Cares for Kids program.

Committed to the Environment
In addition to supporting green volunteer activities, Kohl's is committed to environmental responsibility and focuses its efforts on maximizing energy efficiency, green building design, minimizing waste, reducing emissions and encouraging environmental values. Last year, Kohl's was ranked as the number one Green Retailer on Newsweek's 2009 Green Rankings.

Kohl's key environmental initiatives and accomplishments include:

  • Carbon neutral goal: In December 2009, Kohl's became the first retailer to announce a commitment to reach net zero carbon dioxide emissions by the end of 2010 in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Climate Leaders.

  • Leading solar program: Kohl's is the largest retail host of solar power in North America with 86 solar locations in six states.

  • Energy efficiency: A 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, more than 400 Kohl's locations nationwide have earned EPA's ENERGY STAR label for superior energy efficiency and performance "“ more than any other department store. In addition, all Kohl's stores are operated by central energy management systems that control most interior and exterior lighting, as well as heating and cooling systems at the stores.

  • Green building design and operation: To date, 63 Kohl's stores, as well as the company's Milwaukee photo studio, have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Several other locations have been constructed according to LEED guidelines and are pursuing certification.

  • Green power: Kohl's is an active member of EPA's Green Power Partnership. The company currently ranks number one in retail, number two overall and number two among Fortune 500 companies on EPA’s quarterly rankings of top green power purchasers. Kohl's was also named a 2009 Green Power Partner of the Year. In January 2010, Kohl's announced that it had reached 100 percent green power "“ meaning the company purchased enough green power to meet 100 percent of its purchased electricity use companywide.

  • Reducing waste: Kohl's stores participate in a comprehensive recycling program. The company continually assesses opportunities to reduce waste throughout its supply chain.

For more information about Kohl's charitable, philanthropic and sustainability efforts or how to involve Kohl's associates in an upcoming volunteer opportunity, please visit our Community Relations page at www.kohlscorporation.com.

Kohl's Department Stores
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl's operates 1,067 stores in 49 states. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl's has raised more than $126 million for children's initiatives nationwide through its Kohl's Cares for Kids® philanthropic program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

Kohl's Department Stores logo

Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl's Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,155 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, join the discussion on Facebook (facebook.com/Kohls) or Twitter (twitter.com/Kohls) or get inspired on Pinterest (pinterest.com/Kohls) and Instagram (instagram.com/Kohls).

More from Kohl's Department Stores

Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox