From: ASAP
In its first check donation of 2004, the Target Take Charge of Education School Fundraising program awarded $14.1 million to schools nationwide. Take Charge of Education dollars are donated to schools twice each year and schools can use the funds for anything they need from technology to books and school supplies to grants. Since the program began in 1997, Target has donated more than $100 million to schools nationwide.
With the Take Charge of Education School Fundraising program, families, teachers and members of the community can designate a local, eligible K-12 school of their choice to receive an amount equal to 1 percent of their Target(R) Visa(R) and Target Guest Card(R) purchases made at Target and target.com . Target also donates 0.5 percent of all Target Visa purchases made everywhere Visa is accepted.
"Target consistently hears from schools how they are using their Take Charge of Education money, and it is apparent that great things are happening as a result of these unrestricted funds," said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target Corporation. "Schools are applying the money to whatever is critical and in these times of national and state budget cuts, Take Charge of Education has become a much-needed resource."
Target also has partnered with Capstone Press, Compass Point Books and Picture Window Books, leading providers of educational materials, to offer schools an opportunity to double their Take Charge of Education School Fundraising dollars this spring. The companies will match every Target School Fundraising dollar that schools apply to the purchase of educational materials from Capstone Press, Compass Point Books and Picture Window Books. Schools can take advantage of the offer until July 1, 2004.
The Take Charge of Education School Fundraising program is part of Target's ongoing support of education. Schools receive Take Charge of Education checks in March and September. Currently, more than 110,000 schools and 8 million Target guests are enrolled in the program.
Cardholders and school representatives can visit target.com/tcoe or call 1-800-316-6142 to enroll, change a school designation or check school payout totals. Members of the media may contact Mike Sheldon at (952) 851-7287 to learn more about money designated for local area schools.
About Target Stores
Minneapolis-based Target Stores serves guests at 1,249 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target Stores, along with its parent company Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT), gives back more than $2 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.
*Subject to Target School Fundraising program rules. The Target Visa and Target Guest Card are credit cards issued by Retailers National Bank, an affiliate of Target Stores. Subject to credit approval.
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