More Than 167,000 Fans Flock to Target Facebook Page Helping Donate $3 Million to Ten Charities
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Posted in : Business:
- On : May 26, 2009
More Than 167,000 Fans Flock to Target Facebook Page Helping Donate $3 Million to Ten Charities
With over 77,000 Votes, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital(R) Wins $797,123 
MINNEAPOLIS, May 26 /PRNewswire/ — In just two short weeks, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital(R) tallied 26.6% of total votes, coming in first winning $797,123 in the first-ever Target giving campaign on Facebook(R). Bullseye Gives, which kicked-off on May 10 and concluded on May 25, 2009, invited Facebook users to visit www.Facebook.com/Target to help Target decide how to divvy up $3 million among ten national charities. With more than 3,000 wall posts* from inspired voters, the campaign also created a place for the online community to share their personal stories and experiences.
With 291,399 votes tallied, Target will donate a portion of the $3 million amount to each charity based on their percentage of votes, which included:
— St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – 77,427 votes (26.6%) =
$797,123
— American Red Cross – 77,118 votes (26.5%) = $793,942
— The Salvation Army – 38,004 votes (13%) = $391,258
— Operation Gratitude – 22,627 votes (7.8%) = $232,948
— Breast Cancer Research Foundation – 19,264 votes (6.6%) = $198,326
— Feeding America – 15,574 votes (5.3%) = $160,336
— HandsOn Network/Points of Light Institute – 11,378 votes (4.0%) =
$120,845
— Parent Teacher Association – 10,904 votes (3.7%) = $112,259
— National Park Foundation – 9553 votes (3.3%) = $98,350
— Kids In Need Foundation – 9,190 votes (3.2%) = $94,613
“On behalf of our patients and families, a heartfelt thank you to Target and the thousands of Facebook members who voted for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during the Bullseye Gives campaign,” said David L. McKee, chief operating officer and interim CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “This remarkable program gave the online community a simple way to provide much-needed funds to many worthy causes. We are humbled by the incredible show of support for our lifesaving mission.”
Funds raised through the Bullseye Gives campaign will support the groundbreaking research and lifesaving care at St. Jude, including the St. Jude School Program. For children undergoing treatment, school can offer a familiar and reassuring routine. In addition, school helps patients maintain a sense of identity, hope for the future and most importantly educational parity with their peers back home. With this in mind, the St. Jude School Program offers several services to assist patients with their academic progress while they undergo treatment at St. Jude. The St. Jude School Program is accredited as a Special Purpose School by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
During the two-week campaign, Bullseye Gives generated incredible results and voter response, including:
— Target Facebook Page added 97,091 new fans
— During the campaign, the Target Facebook Page increased daily views by
4,800%*
— Target Facebook Page experienced a 3,000% surge in wall posts, with
more than 3,000 personal stories shared throughout the campaign*
— More than 167,000 fans on Facebook voted for the charity of their
choice
— St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and American Red Cross received
over 53% of total votes
“We’re grateful to the online community for their passionate response to Bullseye Gives and their willingness to share personal stories about why these charities are important to them. We’re excited that all ten amazing charities will receive a generous donation, as well as increased awareness through social networking platforms,” said Laysha Ward, president of community relations, Target. “The voices of the online community reinforce that giving to those who need it most is a nationwide priority. We encourage the more than 167,000 voters to continue their support of these organizations or other worthy causes.”
As part of company’s continued commitment to service, Target offered to connect all Bullseye Gives participants with local volunteer opportunities through a partnership with VolunteerMatch, an organization that offers an array of programs to support community and civic service 365 days a year. Over 2,200 fans on Facebook clicked through to the VolunteerMatch service page to find causes and volunteer programs in their local communities.
Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of the company’s income to support education, social services, the arts, and volunteerism. Today, that 5 percent adds up to more than $3 million every week. For more information on Target giving, visit www.Target.com/community.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,699 stores in 49 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.
Facebook(R) is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.
* As of May 22, 2009
Contact: Kristen Dinisio Jones
IMRE
410-821-8220
Target Communications
612-696-3400
Visit the Target Pressroom: Target.com/pressroom
Source: Target Corporation
CONTACT: Kristen Dinisio Jones of IMRE, +1-410-821-8220; or Target
Communications, +1-612-696-3400
Web Site: http://www.target.com/
