Kohl’s Department Stores has launched the ‘Love to Give, Happy to Save’ Facebook contest. The contest’s aim is to inspire people to share their stories of giving and let them decide how to allocate half a million dollars from Kohl’s to Feeding America, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger in America through a national network of food banks and Toys for Tots, a program through which  new, unwrapped toys are collected and given as Christmas gifts to children in need.

Photo: a snapshot from Kohl’s Facebook page

There are 600 Kohl’s gift cards that contestants will win for themselves and an opportunity to decide where to give $500 of Kohl’s donation. Each winner has the chance to win an additional $2,500 Kohl’s gift card and the opportunity to allocate a $25,000 donation to either of the selected charities.

To participate, Americans should visit the company’s Facebook page, share their holiday giving stories, cast their votes for their favorite inspirational stories. The contest is open till December 23, 2011.

“Because the holiday season brings out the spirit of giving in all of us, Kohl’s wants to celebrate this generosity by rewarding our customers as well as supporting Toys for Tots and Feeding America,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Kohl’s has been raising funds for children’s initiatives since 2000 and it is $180 million raised for now. Among the company’s philantropic initiatives is the fight against cancer support. Throughout the ‘Love to Give, Happy to Save’ contest, Kohl’s Facebook fans will help determine how much of the half million dollars will go to Feeding America and Toys for Tots, with each charity receiving a minimum of $75,000.

Till December 12, 200 winners will be selected every two weeks, for a total of 600 winners, and each winner will receive a $100 Kohl’s gift card. Winners will be determined by a third party who will evaluate entries based on originality, creativity and fan voting.

Then, 15 finalists will be selected and posted to Kohl’s Facebook page on December 16. Kohl’s Facebook fans will vote for their favorite finalists and the top three finalists will receive prizes. The Grand Prize gets $2,500 Kohl’s gift card and $25,000 to award to Feeding America or Toys for Tots; the First Place gets $1,500 Kohl’s gift card and $15,000 for either of the selected charities.  And the Second Place receives $1,000 Kohl’s gift card and $10,000 for either of the selected charities.