Target marks end of 2011 library makeover program with Veteran's Day celebration

MINNEAPOLIS — Target, along with The Heart of America Foundation, The Mission Continues and hundreds of volunteers, announced that it will celebrate the unveiling of newly renovated libraries at Jack Kimbrough Elementary in San Diego on Nov. 10, and Camp Allen Elementary in Norfolk, Va. on Nov. 11. The unveiling events will honor Veterans Day and mark the conclusion of the 2011 Target School Library Makeover program, which included the transformation of 42 elementary school libraries.

This Veterans Day, in addition to the library unveilings at Jack Kimbrough Elementary and Camp Allen Elementary, Target is partnering with The Mission Continues to host 13 other service projects at elementary schools across the country. These projects will bring nearly 1,500 volunteers from Target and The Mission Continues together to volunteer their time and demonstrate their commitment to supporting education, serving the community and honoring military families, the company said. Through this collaboration, Target and The Mission Continues hope to strengthen the connection between military and civilian communities through service.

“For the second year in a row, we are concluding our Target School Library Makeover program on Veterans Day, which presents an opportunity for us to unite two commitments Target is passionate about – service and education,” said Laysha Ward, president community relations for Target. “We are proud to have our wonderful partners join us as we celebrate reading from coast to coast and do our part to ensure more children reach the critical milestone of reading proficiently by the end of third grade.”

Each library will feature 2,000 new books, plus an additional seven books for students to take home. The libraries will also include eco-friendly design elements, new furniture, carpet and shelves, and complete technology upgrades. In addition to the library makeover, and in partnership with Feeding America San Diego and the Food Bank Southeast Virginia, Target will incorporate a Target Meals for Minds school-based food pantry site at each school. Knowing that hunger greatly affects a child’s ability to learn, the pantries will provide students and their families with a monthly distribution of staple foods and fresh produce to take home.