Overview
- Kars4Kids, which was ordered on May 8 to halt noncompliant ads, has 30 days to remove its jingle in California unless spots state the charity’s religious affiliation, who benefits, and where funds go.
- The judge found the campaign violated California’s false advertising and unfair competition laws by omitting that donations primarily support Orthodox Jewish programs for older teens and families outside the state.
- The ruling bars using young children in ads that raise money for programs serving older teens, and it requires audible disclosures in any future California broadcasts.
- Trial testimony showed more than 60% of Kars4Kids’ money, about $45 million a year, flows to Oorah for camps, gap‑year trips to Israel, and family services, while California provides roughly a quarter of donated cars but has no meaningful local programs.
- Plaintiff Bruce Puterbaugh won $250 in restitution, the court said callers reasonably rely on the phone number in the jingle, Kars4Kids plans to appeal, and a separate federal class action in Northern California remains pending.