SAANYS to Honor Target With Friend of Education Award

ALBANY, NY (04/12/2013)(readMedia)-- Target has been selected as the 2013 Friend of Education by the School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS). This award is given to an individual, group, or organization that has consistently contributed to the support and advancement of outstanding public education and the students of New York State.

SAANYS Executive Director Kevin Casey noted, "The selection committee for the SAANYS Awards Program voted unanimously in favor of Target receiving this year's Friend of Education Award. Their outstanding commitment, dedication, and generosity to education, students, and those who teach, is commendable. On behalf of our members, school leaders from across New York State, I extend my sincere appreciation for the extensive outreach Target provides."

Target annually awards $6,600 in grants through each of their 67 stores across New York State for a total annual contribution of $442,200. These grants include 67 $2,000 Early Childhood Reading grants, $2,000 Arts and Culture in Schools grants, three $700 field trip grants, and $500 book awards to local schools. In addition, Target administers a Take Charge of Education school fundraising program that supports 4,527 schools across the state. This program allows Target REDcard holders to designate 1 percent of their REDcard purchases to a K-12 school of their choice for purchases of needed materials. Another program run by Target is Target Meals for Minds, which brings food to K-12 students and families in need and is now active in 37 schools in 29 cities across the country.

Karl Thielking, principal of Pittsford Mendon High School and SAANYS president, can vouch for Target's generosity firsthand. He stated, "Over the past five school years, Pittsford Mendon High School alone has received over $5,000 from Target's Take Charge of Education program. These donations have been provided with no strings attached, simply a request to 'use the money for whatever your school needs most.'" He noted that they have used these funds to purchase equipment and supplies and to save valuable field trips that would have been cut from the budget in recent years.

Target will be honored for their contributions at an awards ceremony on May 10, 2013 at the Century House in Latham, New York.

SAANYS represents nearly 7,200 school administrators, supervisors, and coordinators. As a professional association, SAANYS is committed to providing direction, service, and support to the membership in their efforts to improve the quality of education and leadership in New York State schools. SAANYS is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

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