Kars4Kids jingle can continue in California after appeals court ruling

Inja News ژوئن 6, 2026 2 minutes read

The ad jingle you just can’t get out of your head — no matter how hard you may try — is staying on the air for now in California.

An appeals court ruled Thursday the “1 877 Kars for Kids, K-A-R-S Kars for Kids” jingle can continue airing in the golden state after Orange County Superior Court Judge Gassia Apkarian issued a ruling on May 8 against Kars4Kids and its ad featuring children dancing and singing.

“The appeals court just ruled that Kars4Kids ads can stay on the air in California while the appeals process plays out,” A spokesperson for Kars4Kids told NBC News.

Last month, the judge found that the ads violated California’s false advertising law by disseminating public statements about the disposal of property — specifically vehicle donations — that were misleading by omission.

The appeal stems from a 2021 lawsuit filed by a California man who argued that the ad features young children, even though some of the proceeds are directed toward programs that fund Israel trips for older teens.

Bruce Puterbaugh donated a 2001 Volvo XC earlier that year to Kars4Kids after hearing the ad “over and over” on the radio. At the time, he expected his donation, which he made in California, to directly go toward benefiting children in California.

Kars4Kids has been outspoken about the lawsuit and “applauds” the ruling allowing ads to continue in California, as the appeal process continues.

“Kars4Kids’ programs benefit a wide array of children and teenagers in California and beyond,” the spokesperson for Kars4Kids said.

“The uninterrupted airing of its ads will enable the charity to continue funding its programs for children and families. We believe the lower court’s findings on the facts and the law were deeply flawed, and we look forward to pursuing a broad appeal of that decision.”

NBC News Top Stories wp:paragraph