Area Kohl’s Department Stores to Donate Sales to Brenner Children’s Hospital

February 18, 2003

Kohl’s Department Stores is encouraging shoppers to give back to their communities with a new Spring Kohl’s Cares for Kids campaign that features Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy and Rags stuffed toys. Kohl’s will donate 100 percent of the net profits from the sale of a book titled, “Raggedy Ann and Rags,” a plush dog and Raggedy Andy and Raggedy Ann dolls to Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem.

Each item will sell for $5, while supplies last at area Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Kernersville Kohl’s locations.

“We are delighted that Kohl’s has taken such a positive step to support Brenner Children’s Hospital,” said Jon S. Abramson, M.D., physician-in-chief of the children’s hospital. “As the only children’s hospital in western North Carolina, this campaign will help fund programs for children throughout the region.”

Author and illustrator Johnny Gruelle published the original Raggedy Ann book in 1918. The book, which also features Raggedy Andy and a dog named Rags, portrays kindness, generosity and compassion. The book typically retails for $15.

The Kohl’s Cares for Kids program makes special merchandise available for purchase in support of children’s hospitals every spring, fall and holiday season.

“Kohl’s Cares for Kids is about helping young people in our communities,” said Julie Gardner, senior vice president of marketing for Kohl’s. “We are proud of our support of these hospitals and we applaud their commitment to families.”

Through this special program, Kohl’s supports 46 children’s hospitals in the country.

Founded in 1986, Brenner Children’s Hospital treats critically ill children from western North Carolina, as well as parts of Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. A part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Brenner Children’s Hospital treats young patients from birth to age 18.

Over 4,500 children are admitted to Brenner Children’s Hospital each year. In addition, more than 21,000 pediatric subspecialty visits occur annually at the hospital-based outpatient clinics. Children admitted to the children’s hospital suffer from a variety of serious conditions such as leukemia and congenial heart defects.

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Media Contact: Rae Beasley, Brenner Children’s Hospital, (336) 716-6878, rabeasle@wfubmc.edu. Kohl’s Department Store: Susan Henderson, (262) 703-1302.

Media Relations

Main Number: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587