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In 2002, an e-mail that grossly misrepresented Target’s support of veterans and active military began to circulate. While the author of that original e-mail contacted Target to express his concern about the false information attributed to him, given the nature of the Internet, versions of this misleading e-mail continue to circulate today.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States posted a press release on their Web site on December 6, 2002 to help clarify this issue and show their support of Target at: www.vfw.org/news/target.htm.

Areas of Support
Target wholeheartedly supports U.S. veterans, reservists and active-duty personnel and their families. We are proud of our record and are committed to continuing our support of veterans' organizations as part of our overall charitable giving program.

For years, Target has donated funds and volunteer hours to local and national veterans’ and military organizations, including the following:

• The Wall That Heals – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
• Operation Gratitude, United Through Reading, Our Military Kids
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF)

For more information please visit: www.target.com/veterans.

Reservist Pay and Benefits
Target is proud to count many veterans and military reservists among our more than 350,000 team members. To support these team members, Target provides benefits for activated reservists, including pay differential, that surpass those required by law. 

Target holds same or similar positions for reservists and National Guard members in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Team members activated for military service participating in optional dependent coverage at the time of their deployment also are eligible to continue benefits as provided by the 1986 Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

The Reserve Officers Association has recognized our company for these benefits and the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) lists Target as a five-star employer of choice on their Web site at: www.esgr.org. The ESGR also recognized multiple Target Distribution Centers in 2007 for their support of service men and women through the “Pro Patria” and “My Boss is a Patriot” awards.

Target Is Not Foreign-Owned
Target is a publicly held U.S. company (NYSE: TGT) and has been based in Minneapolis, Minn. since its founding as The Dayton Company in 1902. Target is not now, nor has it ever been, foreign-owned.

Giving Policy
Target gives to diverse causes that reflect all types of guests in a variety of communities.  While every cause is worthy, Target receives thousands of grant requests every year and unfortunately, we are unable to grant funds or partner with every organization. For more information or to apply for a grant, please visit: www.target.com/community.

Marines Toys for Tots
Target greatly respects the Toys for Tots program and the volunteers who make it a success. However, our longstanding policy of no-solicitation prohibits the use of our store locations as collection or drop-off sites for any type of activity. For more information please visit: www.target.com/solicitation.

This policy does not diminish Target’s commitment to our communities. Since opening our first store in 1962, Target has dedicated 5 percent of its income, which today translates to $3 million a week, to making positive changes in the community through education, the arts and Safe Families and Communities.