Duke Children’s to receive $74,443 from Kohl’s

posted September 22nd, 2009

Kohl’s Department Stores will present Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center with a check for $74,443 during a public open house for the clinic on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 1 p.m.

The funds from Kohl’s support the Duke Children’s Healthy Lifestyles program, Duke Children’s unique approach to the troubling epidemic of childhood obesity. The funds provide for outreach programs that allow the Healthy Lifestyles team to spread its message beyond the clinic walls.

Since 2008, Kohl’s has donated more than $125,000 to Duke Children’s to support the Healthy Lifestyles program. The program was given the acronym KOHLS (Kohl’s Outreach for Healthy LifestyleS).

Kohl's commitment to Duke Children’s is made possible through the Kohl's Cares for Kids philanthropic initiative. Kohl’s Cares for Kids includes a merchandise program featuring $5 books and plush toys where 100% of net profits go toward supporting hospital partnerships like this one. Through 2008, Kohl's has raised more than $126 million dollars through its merchandise program. Other components of Kohl's Cares for Kids include Kohl's A-Team associate volunteer program; the Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program, recognizing stand-out kids for volunteer efforts in their communities; and fundraising gift cards for local schools and nonprofit organizations.

The Duke Children’s Healthy Lifestyles Program is the cornerstone of clinical care provided to overweight children and their families. Healthy Lifestyles is a multidisciplinary, evidence-based, family-centered approach to treating obesity.

The program is designed to provide comprehensive evaluation and management services to families from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The structure of the program includes an initial assessment to provide a health risk factor profile, followed by monthly visits to the clinic for ongoing family lifestyle intervention.

The family’s “Healthy Lifestyle Team” includes a medical provider, a dietician with certification in childhood weight management, and family support services as needed.