TARGET & HEART OF AMERICA UNVEIL LIBRARY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Jill Hornbacher, Target Communications, (612) 761-2072
Target Media Hotline, (612) 696-3400
Target and The Heart of America Foundation Unveil a New Library at
Pittsburgh Woolslair K-5
Local school is one of 42 schools across the country to receive 2,000 new books and a new library space as part of the Target School Library Makeover program
PITTSBURGH (Nov. 4, 2011) – Today, Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) and The Heart of America Foundation revealed a newly renovated library at Pittsburgh Woolslair K-5. The unveiling celebration was the first time students and teachers saw the space since the renovation process began four weeks ago. The library features 2,000 new books, eco-friendly design elements, a complete technology upgrade and new furniture, carpet and shelves. As part of the unveiling event, each student received eight new books to take home. Additionally, special guest Chip Ganassi, owner of Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and long-time Target partner, attended the celebration.
“To see Target making a difference in the lives of children in my own home town is truly inspiring,” said Chip Ganassi, owner of Chip Ganassi Racing. “Target has been a trusted partner of the Chip Ganassi Racing Teams for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to be aligned with a company that proactively supports local communities. I’m thrilled to be a part of today’s celebration and see the library makeover firsthand.”
In addition to a new library, Target also incorporated a Target Meals for Minds school-based food pantry site. The food pantry will allow Pittsburgh Woolslair K-5 students and their families to choose from a variety of staple foods and fresh produce to take home.
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Pittsburgh Woolslair K-5 Unveils Newly-Renovated Library – Page 2 of 3
“We are very grateful for all of those who have come together to make this library makeover a reality for Pittsburgh Woolslair students,” said Lisa Gallagher, principal of Pittsburgh Woolslair. “We now have a welcoming space that is conducive to reading and supports our work to increase the love of reading in our students. In addition, the food pantry will provide our students and families with staple food and fresh product monthly, ensuring the nutritional needs of our students are met so they to come to school ready to learn.”
The renovated library is part of the national Target School Library Makeover program through which Target revitalizes local school libraries, with a focus on helping children read proficiently by the end of third grade. Pittsburgh Woolslair K-5 is one of 42 schools chosen by Target and The Heart of America Foundation to receive a complete library makeover this year.
“Studies show that reading proficiency directly correlates to graduation rates, which is why we strive to foster a child’s passion for reading at an early age,” said Laysha Ward, president of community relations, Target. “Through the Target School Library Makeover program, we’re helping children across the country learn to love reading by giving them the tools they need, including an inspiring library space, new books, computers and more.”
Local Target team members volunteer their time and talent at each renovation project. Additionally, the Target Property Development team and local vendors provide specialized business knowledge through a variety of unique pro bono services that include leveraging their design and construction expertise.
“Through our partnership with Target and our involvement in the Target School Library Makeover program, we are lucky enough to unveil dozens of libraries each year,” said Angie Halamandaris, president and co-founder of The Heart of America Foundation. “It is programs such as this one that make reading fun and foster a lifelong love of learning.”
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Pittsburgh Woolslair K-5 Unveils Newly-Renovated Library – Page 3 of 3
By the end of 2011, Target will have transformed a total of 118 elementary school libraries through the Target School Library Makeover program, which represents an investment of more than $22 million.
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 nationwide. By designing inspiring spaces where students can learn, and putting more books into their hands, the company hopes to reinforce the important role reading plays in shaping a child’s future. Through programs like this one, Target is on track to give $1 billion for education, with a focus on reading, by the end of 2015.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,767 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company will open its first stores in Canada in 2013. 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 http://Target.com/hereforgood.
About The Heart of America Foundation
The Heart of America Foundation (http://www.heartofamerica.org), a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., uniquely combines volunteerism and literacy. The organization’s focus is to provide children in-need with the tools to read, succeed and make a difference. The Heart of America Foundation puts books into the hands of children who need
them the most, while transforming school libraries in underserved communities into vital and vibrant centers of learning that become the heart of the schools. Since 1997, the organization has provided children living in poverty with over 2 million library and take-home books, and has engaged volunteers in more than 1 million hours of service to the community.