California Judge Bans Kars4Kids Ads Over Deceptive Practices
A California judge has ruled that Kars4Kids must stop airing its advertisements in the state, finding that the charity's iconic jingle and appeals for car donations mislead the public about where the money actually goes.
The ads fail to disclose that Kars4Kids is affiliated with Oorah, an Orthodox Jewish nonprofit based in New Jersey, and that most proceeds fund programs primarily benefiting Jewish families in the Northeast and abroad—not children in California.
The judge ordered the charity to include an audible disclosure of its religious affiliation and the geographic location of its primary beneficiaries if it wants to resume advertising in the state.
The Case
The lawsuit was brought by Bruce Puterbaugh, a California resident who donated his car after hearing the charity's ads. He later discovered that the funds did not stay in California to help local children.
At trial, Kars4Kids' COO confirmed that the charity has no functional programs in California beyond an occasional backpack giveaway, which was characterized as a branding exercise.
The ruling cites violations of California's unfair competition and false advertising laws. Any future ads in the state must include audible disclosure of:
- The charity's religious affiliation (Oorah)
- The geographic location of its primary beneficiaries
- The age of those beneficiaries
Kars4Kids has announced it will appeal the ruling.
Background: Where the Money Really Goes
Kars4Kids operates as a car donation charity but transfers the vast majority of its proceeds to Oorah, an Orthodox Jewish nonprofit based in New Jersey. Oorah provides:
- Summer camps
- Trips to Israel
- Other programs targeting Jewish families
In Other Jingle News
The article also noted several other notable jingles:
- Zoo Pals plates were discontinued in 2014 but made a comeback in 2023.
- Folgers coffee continues to use "The Best Part of Wakin' Up"; its royalty rights sold for $90,500 in 2021.
- John Oliver parodied the JG Wentworth jingle in a recent episode.
- The Toys R Us jingle, written by James Patterson, outlived the store's bankruptcy.