EAST WINDSOR – Customers at the new East Windsor Target store can arrange for 1 percent of their purchases to go to the school of their choice, said managers of the new store, which is slated to open July 29.
By: Michael Arges
EAST WINDSOR – Customers at the new East Windsor Target store can arrange for 1 percent of their purchases to go to the school of their choice, said managers of the new store, which is slated to open July 29.
It is one example of how Target stores’ motto, "Fast, Fun and Friendly," includes a friendly attitude toward giving back to the local community, managers said. Target officials shared details of those efforts at a Monday meeting with representatives of local community agencies.
The store is located on the westbound side of Princeton-Hightstown Road (Route 571) between Lanning Boulevard and One Mile Road.
Target stores give back through grants, volunteer efforts and a system of rebates to schools from certain customer purchases. Since 1962 Target stores have given 5 percent of profits back to the communities served, company literature said. Target tries to donate to as many eligible local agencies as possible, noted Terry Boswell, the Guest Services team leader for the new store.
Two special areas of emphasis for Target are education and domestic violence.
"It’s all about family and children and the education of children," Ms. Boswell commented in a Tuesday interview.
"Those are some of the more important things that are going on right now," said Scott Valenti, store manager. They are issues needing attention and areas where Target feels it can make a real impact, he added.
Through its Take Charge of Education program, Target makes grants to support the arts in education and provide the Target All-Around Scholarship for students combining excellence in academics and community service. The next application deadline for the scholarship is Nov. 1.
For customers participating in the school fund-raising program, Target donates to any K-12 school and designates an amount equal to 1 percent of purchases made with a customers’ Target Guest Card.
"We’re really focused on the Take Charge of Education program," Ms. Boswell said.
Target Stores help sponsor the national domestic abuse hotline (1-800-799-SAFE). Many stores also support local efforts against domestic violence, including parenting classes and women’s shelters. Target stores also provide grants to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Washington Monument restoration, and the American Red Cross.
Target managers also emphasized the company’s support of volunteerism by employees.
"At Target we like volunteer work," Mr. Valenti said. "We post opportunities on bulletin boards and take on some projects as a group."
Once a year, employees at a Target store will join together for Operation Playground. They go to a playground identified by local government as needing work and do anything necessary to make it better.
"We might repaint the lines on a basketball court or redo some of the landscaping," Mr. Valenti said.
Mr. Valenti is hoping that his store’s employees will be able to undertake other joint projects. He noted that last year employees at the eight Target stores in the local district put in 1,000 man-hours in volunteer service.
Target stores participate in the Read Across America program by clearing out a space in front of the store, and setting up a rocking chair and chairs for children, so that employees can read to them.
Mr. Valenti commented that hiring has gone well so far, but there is still much to be done.
"We’re going to be hiring right up to the grand opening," he said. "A lot of good positions are still available at all levels."