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A long-running charity ad campaign familiar to Canadians for its catchy Kars4Kids jingle will no longer play in California after a court found it violates false advertising laws.
The popular ad shows children singing the tune while playing musical instruments and asking people to donate their cars.
In 2021, however, California cabinetmaker Bruce Puterbaugh, who is in his 70s, filed a lawsuit after donating a 2001 Volvo XC worth $250 US. Puterbaugh claims he was under the impression the charity helped “underprivileged kids from all over the U.S,” according to court documents.
Those documents show it wasn’t until later that he learned the main purpose of Kars4Kids is not helping local disadvantaged children but instead funding a Jewish organization called Oorah.
In his decision earlier this month, Judge Gassia Apkarian of the Superior Court of California noted Oorah’s programs include “matchmaking for young adults and gap year trips to Israel for 17 and 18-year-olds.”
Kars4Kids gets failing grade from charity watchdog
Similar ads are also running in Canada, and have been for years. That’s a red flag for one Toronto-based charity watchdog.
Charity Intelligence Canada gave Kars4Kids its sole one-star rating, meaning it found failures on multiple issues, including reporting to donors about how their money helped.
“It’s a fail when it comes to transparency,” said Kate Bahen, the managing director. “You have better giving options.”
‘When you see a one-star by Charity Intelligence, I hope it gives you pause,’ says Kate Bahen, the managing director. (Craig Chivers/CBC News)
Wendy Kirwan, Kars4Kids’ director of public relations, did not respond when asked whether any of the proceeds raised in Canada go to help Canadian children.
But according to Kars4Kids Canada’s website, the entity is also part of Oorah Charitable Organization, a non-profit Jewish group. Oorah is listed as a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Canadian tax filings show the organization transferred $12.6 million to the U.S. and Israel in the fiscal year ending May 31, 2025 — the most recent data available — for projects such as the Texas Torah Institute and the Cincinnati Hebrew Day School.
Oorah’s CRA filings show $19 million in expenditures in 2024-25 fiscal year, including $3.7 million on advertising and promotion.
The law and the facts are clearly on our side.”– Wendy Kirwan, Kars4Kids’ director of public relations
In an emailed statement to CBC News, Kirwan said Kars4Kids Canada is a separate organization from the one in the United States.
But regarding the California ruling, she added that “the decision is deeply flawed, ignores the facts, and misapplies the law. Kars4Kids expects to win on appeal because the law and the facts are clearly on our side.”
