Legendary Designer Todd Oldham and Target Unveil Newly Renovated Library at P.S. 21 in Staten Island
Legendary Designer Todd Oldham and Target Unveil Newly Renovated Library at P.S. 21 in Staten Island
Kid Made Modern creator and designer, Todd Oldham helps redesign library and celebrates new space with students, teachers and volunteers
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, TargetCorp. (NYS: TGT) and The Heart of America Foundation unveiled a state-of-the-art library and Target Meals for Minds food pantry at P.S. 21 in Staten Island, New York. 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, Target will award $15,000 reading grants to five New York City schools that previously received library makeovers.
Kid Made Modern creator and designer, Todd Oldham helped to redesign the space by incorporating his signature style throughout the library. During the library unveiling, he was on hand to help celebrate the new space with students, teachers and community members, and hosted an art activity with the students at P.S. 21.
"Reading has been a true passion of mine from a very young age, and the library was always a special place for me to go," said Todd Oldham, creator and designer of Kid Made Modern, kid art supplies and kits with a modern twist. "I am happy to have teamed up with Target to create a space that cultivates imagination and nurtures a love of reading. With this new library, I want kids to learn something in a space they can enjoy."
The new library at P.S. 21 is one of two schools in the New York City-area receiving a renovated library. The other school is P.S. 360 in the Bronx. 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 Gina Moreno, principal, P.S. 21. "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."
"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 Food Bank for New York City.
"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 New York City-area community extends beyond the Target School Library Makeover program. In 2011, Target contributed more than seven million dollars to support the New York City-area 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 1,781 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 $4 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 Corporation
Jenna Reck, Target Public Relations, 612-761-5829
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Target Media Hotline, 612-696-3400
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