Michael Young is national Kohl’s Cares® Scholarship Program winner

Photo courtesy of Swing Fore Kids Golf Classic.

Kohl’s Department Stores announced recently that 17-year-old Michael Young of Scottsdale is one of 10 national Kohl’s Cares® Scholarship Program winners.

Michael will earn $10,000 in scholarships for post-secondary education. In addition to recognizing Michael for outstanding efforts through volunteerism, Kohl’s also will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization of his choice.

Michael Young.

After observing the importance of giving back to the community from his parents early in life, Michael decided at the age of 12 that he wanted to do something to make a difference in the lives of others. Michael founded an annual charity golf tournament called “The Swing Fore Kids Golf Classic” to raise funds for Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Animal Assisted Therapy Program. For the past six years, he has organized the entire tournament, from developing and distributing written materials to securing sponsors, donations and celebrity appearances.

The annual event is the therapy program’s main fundraiser and has raised approximately $260,000 to date, which has allowed the number of therapy dogs in the program to more than double and a new volunteer escort program to be implemented.

“At a young age, Michael has made an inspiring impact on his community,” says Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “It’s teens like Michael who will continue to make our communities better places to live and we are honored to invest in their promising future. These generous acts have inspired and touched us and, we hope, will influence others to also make a difference through volunteerism.”

Since the program began in 2001, Kohl’s has awarded more than 13,000 youth volunteers ages six to 18 with more than $2.6 million in scholarships and prizes. This year, Kohl’s recognized nearly 2,200 nominees with nearly $420,000 in scholarships and prizes.

The Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares, the company’s philanthropic program focused on improving the lives of children. Kohl’s Cares benefits children’s health and education initiatives nationwide through its merchandise program, featuring special books and plush toys where 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s initiatives, fundraising gift cards and the Associates in Action associate volunteer program. kohlskids.com.

KidsPark Childcare Centers participate in The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive

Photo courtesy of KidsPark.

This holiday season, KidsPark, the national chain of hourly childcare centers, has partnered with The Pajama Program to participate in The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive.

The Pajama Program is a nonprofit organization that provides pajamas to children who live in group homes, shelters, foster care and orphanages. Last year, 18,000 pairs of pajamas were donated to children in need, with Scholastic Book Clubs matching every single pajama donation with a new book. This is the 10th anniversary of the drive, and the goal this year is 25,000 pajamas. Scholastic will again match every pair of pajamas donated with a new book.

KidsPark’s goal is to contribute 500 pairs of pajamas to the drive by collecting new pajamas for babies and children ages newborn to 12 years old. If parents are too busy to shop, they can make a cash donation directly to KidsPark that will go toward pajamas that KidsPark will purchase. At KidsPark’s Scottsdale location, families who make a donation will be entered into a raffle to win $25 or $50 KidsPark gift certificates.

The drive continues through Friday, Dec. 9.

“Growing up, many of us were fortunate enough to have parents that said, ‘Now go put your jammies on and let’s read a book!’ We want every child to feel warm and cozy this winter,” says Debbie Milner, founder and CEO of KidsPark.

Pajama Program’s mission becomes more urgent during the period it identifies as “Danger Season,” when the thermostat dips and the harsh winter months settle in. Beginning in October, Pajama Program works hard to heighten the public’s awareness of the need to keep these at risk children in warm, clean nighttime clothing and with a bedtime book to allay their fears.

Photo courtesy of KidsPark.

Founded in Silicon Valley in 1988, KidsPark is a licensed hourly childcare company, with centers staffed by professional caregivers for preschool- and school-age children. KidsPark offers a safe and fun space that is available without making a reservation; parents can drop their children by any day, evening, or weekend  and centers are open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Many centers also offer backup care when school is out of session for holidays like Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, or spring breaks.

KidsPark childcare start at $7.50 an hour. Families pay a one-time registration feel and no monthly fees or reservations are required. kidspark.com.