A well-known charity advertisement campaign, featuring the popular Kars4Kids jingle, will no longer air in California due to a court ruling that it violates false advertising regulations. The ad, showcasing children singing and playing musical instruments while urging car donations, has faced scrutiny. In a recent lawsuit, a 70-year-old California cabinetmaker, Bruce Puterbaugh, alleged he donated a $250 US 2001 Volvo XC under the impression that the charity supported underprivileged children across the U.S. However, it was later revealed that Kars4Kids primarily funds the Jewish organization Oorah, offering programs like matchmaking for young adults and trips to Israel for teenagers.
Kars4Kids, known for its ads in Canada as well, received criticism from a Toronto-based charity watchdog, Charity Intelligence Canada, which assigned it a one-star rating. The rating indicates shortcomings in various areas, including transparency in reporting to donors. Kate Bahen, the managing director of the watchdog, advised donors to consider better giving alternatives.
The director of public relations for Kars4Kids, Wendy Kirwan, did not address inquiries regarding the allocation of funds for Canadian children. However, the organization’s Canadian arm is associated with Oorah Charitable Organization, a registered charity in Canada. Financial records show that Kars4Kids Canada transferred $12.6 million to the U.S. and Israel in the last fiscal year for projects like the Texas Torah Institute and the Cincinnati Hebrew Day School. Oorah’s filings demonstrate $19 million in expenditures, including substantial amounts on advertising and promotion.
Kirwan stated in an email to CBC News that Kars4Kids Canada operates independently from its U.S. counterpart. She criticized the California court ruling, asserting that it disregarded facts and misapplied the law, emphasizing their confidence in winning on appeal due to the strength of their legal position.