Today, Target Corp.(NYSE:TGT) and The Heart of America Foundation will unveil a completely redesigned library to students, teachers and parents at P.S. 299 Thomas Warren Field School. New York-based servicemen and women from local police and fire departments will be on hand to help put the finishing touches on the space. The event will also honor local heroes – Brooklyn police officers and fire fighters. Target will present one police officer and one fire fighter with a “Hero of the Heart Award,” which will serve as a special tribute to their dedication to service and the community.
“Thanks to Target and The Heart of America Foundation, our new library is now fully equipped with the resources our teachers and students need to excel,” said Wilma Kirk, principal, P.S. 299 Thomas Warren Field School. “We’re grateful and excited to have so many wonderful people here today to help us unveil our new space. We also feel fortunate to be able to honor the members of our police and fire departments through today’s event.”
The library transformation at P.S. 299 Thomas Warren Field School is part of the 2011 Target School Library Makeover program. The remodeled library space will feature 2,000 new books, eco-friendly design elements, furniture, carpet, shelves and technology upgrades such as computers and iPads. This library will also include a customized art mural honoring the volunteer efforts of New York police and fire fighters. The piece will read “Good Books Inspire Future Heroes.” After the festivities, students and their siblings will be given seven new books to add to their own collections.
“Today’s library unveiling is a special event for the Target team and our local partners,” said Laysha Ward, president of community relations, Target. “The celebration allows Target to reinforce the importance of reading and pay tribute to the servicemen and women who serve and protect our communities."
Launched in 2007, the Target School Library Makeover program leverages the retailer’s world-class design and construction expertise to revitalize elementary school libraries in cities nationwide. By the end of 2011, Target will have transformed a total of 118 elementary school libraries through this initiative, which represents an investment of more than $22 million.
“In partnership with Target and with each library makeover, we are able to renew our commitment to local communities,” said Angie Halamandaris, president and co-founder of The Heart of America Foundation. “Through the Target School Library Makeover program we are able to engage students and provide them with not only a new learning space but the opportunity to learn to love reading.”
The Target School Library Makeover program is just one example of how Target is making an impact in local communities and helping to foster a love of reading among children. Through programs such as this one, Target is on track to reach a total of $1 billion in giving to education, with a focus on reading, by the end of 2015. Additionally, this program is one way Target is reinforcing the important role reading proficiently by the end of third grade plays in a child’s path to graduation.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,762 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.