(From Torrington Spree.)

Over 300 Connecticut and Rhode Island Students
Awarded Back-to-School Shopping Sprees

Thanks to Target and The Salvation Army

CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND - On August 14, 2013, over 300 K-12 students from both states had the opportunity to shop at nearby Target stores for school supplies, clothing, and other must-have, back-to-school items. Since 2009, the Target School Spree has helped kids from across the country, selected by The Salvation Army, gear up for the academic year. Each child received an $81 Target Gift Card to purchase school supplies.

Across The Salvation Army's Southern New England Division, 17 Salvation Army locations partnered with 13 local Target stores to bring their selected children on Target School Sprees. Children came from Bridgeport, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, New London, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, Willimantic, and other surrounding towns.

One of the participating Salvation Army locations in Connecticut, Northwest Hills, had an amazing response to its Target School Sprees. Shopping sprees at this Target in Torrington benefitted 32 local children. They were made possible with careful planning, helpful volunteers, and terrific staff from both The Salvation Army and Target.

After the last child finished shopping with his volunteer in Torrington, Major Scott Harvey, Northwest Hills Officer, reflected on those served that day, "They were all very grateful to Target and The Salvation Army for the ability to choose from the excellent selection available to them. Furthermore, the great prices surprised many children and volunteers, as they allowed them to buy more items than they had originally expected."

As evidenced in part by the pictures of smiling children from throughout the division, such positive responses were unanimous throughout all participating locations. Children left happy, knowing that they would have everything they needed to start the school year. They left more confident and excited for the school year ahead, parents could not thank The Salvation Army and Target staff enough, and volunteers felt honored to be a part of such a wonderful partnership. Even more pictures can be found on our divisional Facebook page.

As part of the Target School Spree program, Target has awarded The Salvation Army $1 million nationwide to cover Target Gift Cards and transportation costs. Recipients of the shopping sprees were identified from the hundreds of youth programs the Army operates across the country. Each $81 Target Gift Card provided a child with the supplies needed for the new school year. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week.