Kohl’s donates $3 million to Wisconsin youth program

Menomonee Falls-based Kohl’s Department Stores has partnered with Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc. to create a new interactive learning facility called the Kohl’s Education Center. Kohl’s will donate $3 million over the next three years towards the project which is scheduled to open late in 2010.
“The Milwaukee area is home for Kohl’s, and we are proud to be able to give back and build health and education programs for kids here in the local community,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “Junior Achievement is a premier organization and these new programs create a fun, interactive way for kids to learn about real-life financial decisions, transactions and how to spend within a budget. They will build practical tools and skills they need to succeed as tomorrow’s workforce, consumers and leaders.”
Programs that will be housed in the new facility will provide approximately 45,000 Milwaukee-area fourth through tenth grade students over the next three years with a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The donation comes from the Kohl’s Cares for Kids cause program, which sells special merchandise, including plush toys and books, and donates 100 percent of the net profit to benefit children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.
“We are thrilled that Kohl’s is supporting Junior Achievement,” said Tim Greinert, president of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc. “We’ve seen the success of these programs and are thankful for the generosity from Kohl’s. We know that students will benefit from these programs and look forward to the grand opening.”