Cranston Teen Awarded $10,000 Scholarship From Kohl's Department Stores for Extraordinary Volunteer Efforts

Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) announced today that Nicholas Lowinger from Cranston is one of 10 national Kohl’s Cares® Scholarship Program winners receiving a total of $10,000 in scholarships for higher education. In addition to recognizing Nicholas for outstanding efforts through volunteerism, Kohl’s will also donate $1,000 to the nonprofit organization of Nicholas’ choice – Gotta Have Sole Foundation, Inc. Through the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program, Kohl's is encouraging promising youth to further their education at a time when college costs continue to rise and parents are relying heavily on federal and private student loans to fund higher education.*

At a young age, Nicholas Lowinger visited homeless shelters and observed children without proper shoes on their feet and wanted to help. He decided to take matters into his own hands and donated his own gently used shoes. Recognizing the great need, Nicholas started the “Gotta Have Sole Foundation,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children in homeless shelters across America with new shoes. Now 15, Nicholas has donated new sneakers, shoes and boots to more than 7,400 children nationwide, and sees to it that each child receives new shoes each time his or her feet grow. Nicholas is also driven to get others involved in the cause by writing grants; presenting at schools, corporations, and shelters; and meeting with private donors across the country to help raise awareness and increase supporters for the Gotta Have Sole Foundation.

In 2013, Kohl’s celebrates its 13th year of rewarding young volunteers. Since the program began in 2001, Kohl’s has recognized more than 19,000 kids, including the 2013 winners, with more than $3.9 million in scholarships and prizes. This year, Kohl’s recognized more than 2,300 young volunteers with more than $400,000 in scholarships and prizes. For more information or a complete list of Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program national-, regional-, and store-level winners, visit www.kohlskids.com.

The Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program is part of Kohl’s Cares, Kohl’s philanthropic program focused on improving the lives of children. For more information, visit www.kohls.com/cares.