Children’s Medical Center’s donations from Kohl’s reaches $2 million mark

by Staff of Children's Medical Center

Children’s Medical Center is proud to announce a $289,766 gift from Kohl’s Department Stores. These monies will support the Kohl's Sports Health and Wellness Outreach Program at Children’s Medical Center. In celebration of Kohl’s continued support of Children’s, Nathan Koval, an 11-year-old Children’s patient, threw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game Aug. 2.

Kohl’s commitment to Children’s is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program which has given nearly $2 million locally to Children’s. The program, which offers seasonal, child-friendly items for $5 each, was launched nationwide in 2000 to reinforce Kohl’s commitment to the communities in which it serves and to promote children’s health initiatives. Kohl’s, to date, has raised more than $126 million nationwide for such initiatives.

The Kohl's Sports Health and Wellness Outreach Program at Children’s Medical Center is designed to educate child athletes, coaches, and parents about the potential for injuries while playing sports and how they may avoid such injuries. Physicians, nurses, and dietitians from Children’s conduct a variety of educational clinics.

Each year, the program reaches some 5,400 youth sports coaches who guide more than 50,000 athletes. Clinics are held primarily in conjunction with the Plano Sports Authority and the Dallas Baseball Academy. These clinics take place around indoor and outdoor youth sports seasons for 11 different athletic endeavors, ranging from cheerleading to lacrosse to football. Each coach in the clinic receives a sport-specific clipboard and tip sheets that provide information and illustrations about various types of injuries, possible symptoms and basic first-aid techniques.

In 2009, Children’s is expanded its reach to 36 clinics, up from 32 clinics in 2008, thanks to the funds from the Kohl’s Cares for Kids. During its family-friendly “Sports Days,” activities games, booths and activities designed to educate children and families on how to prevent sport injuries will be offered. Special clinics will provide information on wellness, first aid, stretching, and overall physical health.