A well-known charity advertising campaign featuring the catchy Kars4Kids jingle will no longer be aired in California due to a court ruling that it violates false advertising laws. The ad, commonly seen with children singing and playing musical instruments while encouraging car donations, came under scrutiny when a California cabinetmaker, Bruce Puterbaugh, sued after donating a 2001 Volvo XC valued at $250. Puterbaugh believed the charity supported underprivileged kids nationwide, only later discovering that the main beneficiary was a Jewish organization called Oorah.
Judge Gassia Apkarian of the Superior Court of California highlighted Oorah’s programs, such as matchmaking for young adults and trips to Israel for 17 and 18-year-olds, in her recent ruling. The charity watchdog Charity Intelligence Canada has rated Kars4Kids poorly, citing a lack of transparency in reporting how donations are utilized.
Wendy Kirwan, the director of public relations for Kars4Kids, did not confirm whether funds raised in Canada support Canadian children. However, Kars4Kids Canada is affiliated with Oorah Charitable Organization, a registered charity in Canada that transferred $12.6 million to the U.S. and Israel in the last fiscal year for various projects. Oorah’s financial statements show significant expenditures on advertising and promotion.
In response to the California court decision, Kirwan expressed confidence in winning on appeal, emphasizing that the law and facts support their position. Kirwan also clarified that Kars4Kids Canada operates independently from the U.S. organization.
