Santa Rosa, CA (December 19, 2007)– This holiday season Target stores of Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park are donating decorated holiday trees to those in need. Through the Share-a-Tree partnership with United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake, holiday trees will be given to local non-profits including Interfaith Shelter Network, Council on Aging and the Boys & Girls Club of Petaluma. These non-profits will then distribute holiday trees to local Sonoma County families who otherwise would not have a tree this holiday season.
Nationally, Target Stores will donate more than 4,500 decorated holiday trees to 1,300 local United Ways, who will then deliver the trees to families in need as well as to partners such as shelters and community centers who care for children.
“Target is a strong United Way partner,” said Walter Collins, President and CEO of United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake. “Through Target’s ‘Share-a-Tree’ program, we can give the gift of joy this holiday season to families across the county. Thank you to Target and all its employees for this very generous gift and their incredible support to our community throughout the year.”
This is the 17th consecutive year Target has donated artificial holiday trees to local community partners and families in need. In past years, United Way volunteers have delivered Target’s trees to various non-profit agencies and families including women’s shelters and those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the trees, Target gave nearly $12 million to communities across the country through United Way in 2006 alone.
“Target has a long-standing commitment to support the communities we serve through our giving programs,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “We know a Christmas tree is a gathering place for celebration and represents generations of traditions, stories and fond memories. Through our ongoing partnership with United Way and the “Share-a-Tree” program, we are proud to help make the holidays brighter for thousands of families.”
For 40 years, United Way of Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake has continued to mobilize people in the community to help tackle issues collectively rather than individually. United Way creates, leads and supports initiatives that bring measurable improvement to the lives of our community’s most vulnerable residents. We work to addresses the underlying causes of critical problems in four main areas -- Supporting Youth Development, Strengthening Families, Maintaining Senior Independence and Resolving Crises -- with the goal of creating lasting change. Throughout our work, we partner with government, businesses, community-based nonprofits and others in order to accomplish more than any one organization working alone. For more information, visit us online at www.uwsml.org.
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,591 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. 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 (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 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.
