Kohl's staff helps Saint Olaf prepare playground

Intermountain Catholic

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A kindergartener brings his own rake to assist with in filling the wheelbarrow with mulch. Volunteers worked from 9 a.m. to noon in 95 degree weather to prepare Saint Olaf playground for the first day of school.

BOUNTIFUL— The "Kohl’s Cares for Kids®" Program donated $1,000 to Saint Olaf School and Kohl’s A-team members helped clean up the playground Aug. 16 before school started Aug. 18.

Each year before school begins, parents, faculty, students, and volunteers gather to clean up the school playground. This assures the playground will be a safe and secure area for the children to play as well as make it an attractive feature of the school property and Saint Olaf Church.

"Kohl’s Cares for Kids" is a promise of hope for a brighter, healthier future for kids in communities around the nation," said Stephanie Rasmussen, a Kohl’s A-Team Event representative. Kohl’s A-Team provides help in many ways throughout the year. Kohl’s A-Team associates volunteer their time and show their team spirit by participating in nonprofit charitable activities that enrich and transform the lives of children. The A-Team provides opportunities for Kohl’s associates to play an active role in their communities and Kohl’s is enhanced with corporate grants to be given directly to the charity."

As a result of the Kohl’s store opening in Centerville April 9, and the new Kohl’s store opening in Orem the end of September, Kohl’s was able to donate $500 from each store for a total of $1,000. A-Team employees from the Centerville and Orem stores participated in cleaning up Saint Olaf’s playground.

"We do at least 12 events a year per store," said Rasmussen. "Kohl’s also sells "Kohl’s Cares for Kids" merchandise with 100 percent of the net profits supporting the health and educational opportunities for children in communities nationwide. We have "Horton Hears a Who" stuffed animals, Kung Fu Panda, and Marvin Gay CD’s that sell for $5, and all the profits go to support kids."

The volunteers helped pull weeds, shovel and spread sand, shovel and spread mulch, and picked up trash.

"It was great to see such a wonderful turn out of volunteers," said JoAnn Emery, Saint Olaf principal. "It shows we have great support and enthusiasm for our school. We even had some teachers who came to help."

Laurie Jacobs, Saint Olaf kindergarten teacher who came to help, said it was good for the younger students to see the older students helping out. They set a good example.

"This is a great project which brings the community together for a good cause," said Jacobs.