California
Kars4Kids jingle can stay on California airwaves, court rules
The familiar Kars4Kids jingle will continue playing across California for now after a state appeals court sided with the charity in its ongoing legal fight over the ads.
On June 4, a California appeals court ruled that Kars4Kids can keep airing its advertisements in the state while it challenges a lower court decision that found the commercials deceptive.
The order temporarily pauses a judge’s ruling that would have prohibited the New Jersey-based vehicle donation charity from running the ads in their current form. The appeals court did not address the merits of the case, which remains under review.
The decision marks an important victory for Kars4Kids, whose fundraising operation relies heavily on the nationally recognized “1-877-Kars4Kids” advertising campaign. For now, the well-known jingle will remain on California airwaves as the nonprofit pursues its appeal.
Kars4Kids welcomes ruling
“Kars4Kids applauds (the) court ruling allowing its ads to continue airing in California while the appeals process continues,” the organization said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.
“Kars4Kids’ programs benefit a wide array of children and teenagers in California and beyond. The uninterrupted airing of its ads will enable the charity to continue funding its programs for children and families.”
The organization said it believes the trial court’s findings were flawed and intends to pursue a broad appeal.
What the lawsuit alleged
The case was brought by California resident Bruce Puterbaugh, who said he donated a vehicle believing the charity primarily benefited needy children, and was unaware of its ties to Oorah, an Orthodox Jewish outreach organization based in New Jersey.
In May 2026, Orange County Superior Court Judge Gassia Apkarian ruled that Kars4Kids’ advertising violated California’s false advertising and unfair competition laws because it failed to adequately disclose the organization’s religious affiliation and where donated funds ultimately go. The judge ordered the ads removed in their current form and awarded Puterbaugh $250 in restitution.
Broader debate over the charity
Kars4Kids has rejected the ruling, arguing on its website that the court overlooked evidence showing that donations support mentoring programs, educational assistance, summer camps and grants to nonprofit organizations, including some in California.
The dispute has renewed scrutiny of Kars4Kids’ fundraising practices. A recent investigation by the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, found that the charity has faced scrutiny in multiple states over disclosure practices and spent $41.5 million on advertising in 2024, more than it distributed to Oorah that year. Charity officials have defended those expenses as necessary to generate vehicle donations that fund their programs.
Contributing: Joe Strupp, Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network; USA TODAY reporter Drew Pittock
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT.