A California judge has ruled that the ubiquitous Kars4Kids jingle constitutes false advertising, effectively banning its broadcast in the state unless the charity revises its messaging. The decision, issued last week by the Orange County Superior Court, stems from a lawsuit filed by Bruce Puterbaugh in 2021 after he donated a nonfunctional 2001 Volvo XC valued at $250.
Misleading Fundraising Practices
Puterbaugh testified that he believed his donation would benefit underprivileged children across the United States, as implied by the charity's advertising. However, court documents revealed that Kars4Kids funnels approximately $45 million annually to Oorah, a Jewish non-profit organization that operates summer camps in the tri-state area and organizes gap year trips to Israel for teenagers aged 17 and 18. Oorah also used $16.5 million from Kars4Kids to purchase a building in Israel to expand its presence there.
Esti Landau, the charity's chief operating officer, acknowledged during testimony that the well-known jingle does not mention any religious affiliation. The court found that this omission misled donors like Puterbaugh, who felt deceived upon learning the true nature of the organization.
Donation Statistics
Of the 120,000 cars donated nationwide, approximately 30,000 originated in California, according to court documents. It remains unclear over what time period these donations were collected. The court ordered Kars4Kids to pay $250 in restitution to the plaintiff and to cease all non-compliant broadcasting in California within 30 days.
In its ruling, the court stated: “Money cannot ‘un-donate’ a car or restore the donor’s belief that they were helping a local, needy child. When a charity generates millions annually through a ‘jingle’ that conceals its primary religious and geographic focus, it creates an unfair playing field for local California charities that are honest about their missions.”
Future Advertising Requirements
Any future advertisements by Kars4Kids in California must disclose the charity's religious affiliation and geographic focus. Additionally, the ads cannot feature images of prepubescent children, as several of Oorah's programs support young adults rather than younger children.
