Ashburn, Va. (June 28, 2016) — Today, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) announced it has been awarded a grant from Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) for $100,000 as part of Target’s ongoing youth wellness efforts. The grant money will be used to help fund NRPA’s Commit to Health Youth Ambassador Program, which will provide increased access to opportunities for healthy eating and physical activities while inspiring park and recreation agencies, communities and youth to make healthy choices.
“Undoubtedly, park and recreation agencies play a key role in helping children make healthy decisions, especially in underserved communities,” said Barbara Tulipane, NRPA President and CEO. “However, youth are catalysts for change. That’s why we are proud to partner with Target on our new Commit to Health Youth Ambassador Program, encouraging local park and recreation agencies to engage America’s youth in the adoption of healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) standards during out-of-school time.”
“At Target, we are committed to helping make wellness a way of life for our team members, guests and communities,” said Laysha Ward, chief corporate social responsibility officer, Target. “That’s why we are excited to partner with an impressive array of organizations who are already doing such important work to make an impact in the wellness space. Together, we will help remove barriers to wellness in our communities, working to increase the consumption of nutrient-dense food and physical activity of kids and families across the country.”
The grant is part of Target’s ongoing efforts to help make wellness more affordable, accessible and inspirational for its team members, guests and communities. Target also is partnering closely with local leaders and organizations in communities around the country who are experts in youth wellness and actively working to close the wellness gap for children. These efforts are part of Target’s long history of giving 5 percent of its profit to communities, which today equals more than $4 million every week.
NRPA’s Commit to Health campaign, aimed at park and recreation agencies, supports the implementation and evaluation of HEPA standards nationwide. As a result of the ongoing campaign, approximately 136,000 children now have improved access to healthy foods and increased opportunities for physical activity. That number is expected to rise as more park and recreation agencies take the Commit to Health pledge.
To learn more about Commit to Health, visit www.nrpa.org/committohealth.
To learn more about the NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
About The National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,792 stores and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit to communities, which today equals more than $4 million a week. For more information, visit Target.com/Pressroom. For a behind-the-scenes look at Target, visit Target.com/abullseyeview or follow @TargetNews on Twitter.
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Media Contact:
Heather Williams
@NRPA_News