CAMP HILL, Pa. — This month, Rite Aid associates nationwide are recognizing their local KidCents charities for participating in The Rite Aid Foundation’s “Big Heart Gives Challenge.”

Ken Martindale

Rite Aid said Wednesday that the foundation designed the challenge to help KidCents charities raise awareness, expand their donor network and earn additional funds for their organization. Overall, KidCents is slated to donate $1,597,500 to 182 KidCents charities in 28 states through the challenge, which runs through February.

Rite Aid Foundation president Ken Martindale, who’s CEO of stores and president at Rite Aid Corp, kicked off the celebration on Wednesday by presenting a $12,500 donation to Nativity School of Harrisburg, a private, preparatory middle school for inner city boys in Harrisburg, Pa.

“Our Big Hearts Give Challenge was a fun way for KidCents charities to earn a donation for their organization while raising awareness about the valuable work they are doing and expanding their donor network,” Martindale said in a statement. “The Rite Aid Foundation looks forward to developing other unique opportunities through our KidCents program to help our partner charities raise much-needed funds so that they can continue making a difference in the lives of the children they serve.”

Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid’s wellness+ with Plenti rewards program can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and give their change to one of more than 360 nonprofit groups focused on improving the health and wellness of children.

Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has awarded nearly $25 million to nonprofit organizations.

To participate, Rite Aid customers sign into their wellness+ with Plenti account at KidCents.com and review the profiles of approved KidCents charities they can choose to support. Each charity profile features information about the organization and the services it provides, along with stories of those helped by the organization. Once customers select a charity, the next time they shop at Rite Aid their purchase will be rounded up to the nearest dollar and their change will be designated to that charity.