Target School Spree prepares children for school year

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Andrew and Lt. Glenis Viera grab a new Spiderman backpack during last year’s Target School Spree.  Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army Chattanooga
Andrew and Lt. Glenis Viera grab a new Spiderman backpack during last year’s Target School Spree.
Photo courtesy of The Salvation Army Chattanooga

 

Retail giant gives the Army $1 million to cover costs.

The Salvation Army is teaming up with Target to give 12,000 students in need the opportunity to shop for school supplies, clothing and other back-to-school necessities.

The Target School Spree has helped kids from across the country, selected by The Salvation Army, gear up for the academic year since 2009. This year, each child will receive an $81 Target gift card to purchase school supplies from one of nearly 500 participating Target stores nationwide from July 15 through Aug. 15. Select Salvation Army locations will work with local Target stores to schedule the date of the Target School Spree.

“As part of our $1 billion commitment to education, Target is excited [to] partner with The Salvation Army on the Target School Spree again in 2013,” said Laysha Ward, president of community relations for Target. “The program provides thousands of students in need with back-to-school supplies that will help them start a new year on the right foot.”

Target awarded The Salvation Army $1 million nationwide to cover Target gift cards and transportation costs. Recipients of the gift card shopping sprees were identified from the hundreds of youth programs the Army operates across the country.

“New supplies, including pencils, paper, notebooks and clothing, provide students with a fresh and positive start to the school year,” said Major Ron Busroe, national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army. “This marks the fifth year that Target and The Salvation Army are working together to  make sure thousands of students in need throughout the country are equipped with new back-to-school supplies.”

All participants will be paired with a volunteer chaperone for their back-to-school shopping day.

For more information, visit salvationarmyusa.org.

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