This week, kids strapped on their space helmets for an out-of-this-world adventure as Target hosted its annual summer bash for families at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital™ and its long-term housing facility, Target House, in Memphis, Tenn.
At this summer’s “Bullseye’s Bash”—an interplanetary affair called Space Rocks!—St. Jude patients and their families took part in interactive outer-space-themed activities, including taking photos in a space-themed photo booth, creating screen print artwork, building planetary crafts and a Martian mask, driving a remote control Moon Rover through an obstacle course and meeting our beloved mascot, Bullseye the dog. Visitors also snacked on extraterrestrial treats like star-and-moon-shaped sandwiches, galaxy cookies and Milky Way milk, and took home a fun bag with a mini telescope, pocket star finder and more.
And the main event? A show-stopping performance from Zero Gravity Circus, a high-energy acrobatic troupe of trampoline performers who blended their skill and art into a truly stellar show. Watch this video to see highlights from the event:
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Check out more photos of the action:
The event is just one way Target is celebrating the 20th anniversary of our partnership with St. Jude. Since 1996, we’ve provided support through a number of programs, sponsorships and events, including events for patients and their families featuring guest performances, activities and gifts. We opened Target House in 1999, a home-away-from-home for more than 4,200 families, providing no-cost, long-term housing and care while their kids receive lifesaving treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Through our support, we help make sure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food—and our teams of volunteers create happy moments and fun events to help families through difficult times.
“Over the past 20 years, our team members, volunteers, celebrity partners and vendors have been inspired by the courage and resilience of St. Jude patients and their families,” says Laysha Ward, chief corporate social responsibility officer, Target. “We built Target House to be more than just a place to stay—it’s a community where families can share in their victories and struggles, and receive compassion, comfort and strength. I’m proud of the way Target’s commitment to wellness, service and volunteerism comes to life through our partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Together, we’ll be able to impact many more lives in the years to come.”
Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened in 1962. The Target team is proud to support St. Jude’s lifesaving mission all year long. In fact, we’re a National Series Sponsor of the 2016 St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer this September in communities across the country. And we’re already hard at work planning our next event for the families of St. Jude—Bullseye’s Holiday Bash taking place in November. Check back to see more fun from Memphis!
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