Leo Politi Elementary School Receives Newly Renovated Library from Target and The Heart of America F
Leo Politi Elementary School Receives Newly Renovated Library from Target and The Heart of America Foundation
Actress and author, Jamie Lee Curtis joins students, teachers, and volunteers to celebrate remodeled library
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Target Corp. (NYS: TGT) and The Heart of America Foundation unveiled a state-of-the-art library and Target Meals for Minds food pantry at Leo Politi Elementary School in Los Angeles.
Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and author of ten best-selling children's books, was on hand to help celebrate the new space with students, teachers and community members and read to students from her latest title, "My Brave Year of First: Tries, Sighs and High Fives."
The new library at Leo Politi Elementary School is one of three schools in the Los Angeles area receiving a renovated library. Each library will feature 2,000 new books, furniture, carpet and shelves, and a complete technology upgrade, including new iPads. The program also provides seven new books for each student to take home following the unveiling celebration.
"The new library and food pantry are amazing gifts for our school and our students," said Brad Rumble, principal, Leo Politi Elementary School. "Thanks to Target and The Heart of America Foundation, our students have the resources they need to feel inspired and ready to learn when they walk through our school doors."
As part of the 2012 Target School Library Makeover program, which includes plans to give more than $12 million to support education, the retailer is unveiling new libraries at a total of 32 in-need elementary schools across the country. In addition to the new library space, Leo Politi Elementary and five other schools will also receive a literacy pilot program. Target will work with the Los Angeles school district to implement a program that emphasizes the importance of reading.
"At Target, we understand that a quality education is integral to the success of a child's future," said Laysha Ward, president of community relations, Target. "Through the Target School Library Makeover program, we aim to pave a path to graduation for more U.S. students by equipping them with the resources they need to excel in the classroom and beyond."
In an effort to combat hunger and its impact on learning, the Target Meals for Minds food pantry will provide monthly distributions of fresh produce and staple foods to students and their families. The food pantry is made possible through a partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
"Since 2007, our partnership with the Target School Library Makeover program has helped to turn more than 100 dilapidated libraries into vibrant centers of learning," said Angie Halamandaris, president and co-founder of The Heart of America Foundation. "This year, we are proud to continue our partnership with Target. By revitalizing 32 school libraries across the country, we are helping to create new spaces that inspire students, parents and community members to love reading."
Through programs like this, Target is on track to give $1 billion for education, with a focus on reading, by the end of 2015.
Target's commitment to the Los Angeles community extends beyond the Target School Library Makeover program. In 2011, Target contributed more than five million dollars to support the Los Angeles community. Target's support included funding programs and initiatives, such as Target School Library Makeovers, Target Field Trip Grants and Take Charge of Education.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYS: TGT) serves guests at 1,772 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company plans to 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 profit 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.
About The Heart of America Foundation®
The Heart of America Foundation (http://www.heartofamerica.org), is a national nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C. that uniquely promotes volunteer service and literacy. The organization aims to inspire acts of service and a love of reading by building community and providing children in need with the tools to read, succeed and make a difference. Committed to education and volunteerism, The Heart of America Foundation engages volunteers by putting books into the hands of children who need them the most. Since 1997, The Heart of America Foundation has provided children living in poverty with over 2.8 million library and take-home books, and has engaged volunteers in more than 1,037,500 hours of service to the community.
Target Public Relations
Jenna Reck, 612-761-5829
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Target Media Hotline, 612-696-3400
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