Catchy Jingle Not a Green Light to Donate

For the many people who have heard it, the catchy Kars4Kids jingle is difficult to forget. The charity behind the Kars4Kids fundraising campaign, J O Y for Our Youth (JOY), has spent millions on advertising to ensure the jingle is heard far and wide. In addition to sponsoring an internet video jingle contest, JOY runs radio ads like the one we frequently hear in Chicago enticing potential donors with offers of “maximum” tax deductions as well as a “free vacation” in return for car donations. The commercials make car donation seem as easy as dialing a memorable phone number, but are vague about where the raised money will go, or how it will benefit kids.