Children's Health

The summer and hours of daylight may be decreasing, but not the risks of developing skin cancer ‘ especially for summer enthusiasts.

Children in West Michigan will be safer thanks to a $106,000 donation from Kohl’s Department Stores. Representatives from Kohl’s presented Safe Kids Lakeshore and Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids – both programs of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital – with the donation on Saturday.

“Our community is grateful to have programs like Kohl’s Cares for Kids’,” said Jennifer Wardrop, annual giving director, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation. “As a children’s hospital, we want to do everything possible to keep children safe and injury free. The donation from Kohl’s will enable us to continue providing tools and resources to make this possible.”

Funds provided by Kohl’s support on-going Safe Kids injury prevention programs including car seat checks, bike helmet distribution, safety expos and more. Safe Kids Lakeshore and Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids are two of more than 300 grassroots coalitions in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, local governments and volunteers to educate and protect families.

Kohl’s commitment is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares for Kids”program, which raises funds for children’s health and educational opportunities through the sale of special gift items.’ Net profits from the sales go to support children’s health and educational opportunities in the market areas served by Kohl’s.’ Kohl’s community outreach also includes Kohl’s Kids Who Care’, an annual youth volunteer recognition program, fundraising gift cards for local schools and non-profit youth groups, as well as an associate program to encourage volunteerism.

“Kohl’s introduced the Kohl’s Cares for Kids”program to promote children’s health and educational opportunities, and is committed to playing an active role in the communities we serve,” said Julie Gardner, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Kohl’s Department Stores.’ “We’re proud of the partnerships we’ve created with children’s hospitals across the country.”

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. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl’s operates 834 stores in 46 states and has raised more than $85 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares for Kids’ philanthropic program.’ For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is a Grand Rapids-based hospital serving children throughout Michigan. A teaching hospital, it includes more than 150 pediatric specialty physicians with specialized training in providing medical and surgical care to children in more than 40 pediatric specialties. We care for 7,600 children on an inpatient basis and 190,000 children at outpatient sites annually. The staff at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is committed to caring for children and families with compassion, excellence and innovation. The children’s hospital is one of seven hospitals in the Spectrum Health system. Visit’devoschildrens.org‘to learn more or’devoschildrens.org/2011‘to learn about the new hospital opening in 2011.