(10/22/10) – Safe Kids Florence, led by McLeod Health, announced its receipt of a $35,129 grant awarded by Kohl’s Department Stores at the Third Thursday with Kohl’s kick-off event on Thursday, October 21, 2010.

The Kohl’s Cares® donation to McLeod Safe Kids will continue to fund the Third Thursday with Kohl’s program. The program offers free child safety seat checks, as well as 20 free child safety seats to the community on the third Thursday of each month. This grant – the third that McLeod Safe Kids has received from Kohl’s Cares® – will also fund quarterly car seat checks at the Myrtle Beach Kohl’s store.
"This expansion to Horry County will allow Safe Kids to serve an area that is not currently served by a Safe Kids coalition," said Erin Faile, McLeod Community Education Coordinator. "Through this program, it is Safe Kids Florence’s expectation that we will drastically decrease the number of child injuries in Horry County due to improper use of child safety seats."
McLeod Safe Kids received a grant of more than $25,000 from Kohl’s Cares® in November of 2008, which initiated the Third Thursday program. Since that time, Safe Kids has checked more than 570 seats and provided nearly 540 child safety seats to those in need at the Florence Kohl’s events.
McLeod Safe Kids certified car seat technicians are on site at each event. Each child safety seat technician follows a child passenger safety checklist of child safety seat qualifications to ensure the safety of each child.
The technicians check proper installation of child safety seats, correct those in need, and educate on proper installation and use. The technician will determine if a new child safety seat is needed. If so, one per family is available while supplies last.

"McLeod Safe Kids is honored to once again be the recipient of the Kohl’s Cares for Kids grant," Faile added. "This funding means more growth for our program while enhancing the safety of the children who live in our community. Four out of five child safety seats are installed incorrectly, and the Third Thursday program allows our trained technicians to decrease that number through education in our area."

Safe Kids Florence, led by McLeod Health, is a coalition compromised of members from the Florence County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Florence Police Department, the City of Florence Fire Department, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol. "There is no better partnership for the public," said Captain Mike Nunn of the Florence County Sheriff’s Department. "Unfortunately, children are often unrestrained in vehicles, leading to tickets for parents. The Third Thursday program helps keep children safe while keeping us from writing tickets — it’s a win-win situation for everyone."

"Since our store opening in 2007, Kohl’s has been able to donate more than $91,000 to McLeod Health," said Florence Kohl’s Store Manager Phillip Battles. "We are thankful for the opportunity to give back to the community." Other McLeod Health programs supported through Kohl’s include the McLeod Children’s Hospital Radiothon and Children’s Miracle Network Celebration Broadcast. Kohl’s commitment to McLeod Health is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares? philanthropic initiative.

Safe Kids Florence
Safe Kids Florence, led by McLeod Health, works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading cause of death for children ages 14 and under. Safe Kids Florence is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Florence is funded in part by the McLeod Health Foundation.

Kohl’s Department Stores
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl’s operates 1,089 stores in 49 states with a commitment to environmental leadership. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $150 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl’s Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.