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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 18, 2010 - 5:39:57 PM |
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More Than 22,000 Votes Cast To Send Care Packages
 VAN NUYS, CA - Operation Gratitude will receive $232,948 from Target as part of the company's first-ever giving campaign on Facebook®, Bullseye Gives. From May 10 through May 25, Operation Gratitude's Facebook "fans," volunteers, donors and supporters joined forces to cast 22,627 votes, earning the organization 7.8% of a $3 million charitable donation pledged by Target.
"My sincere thanks to Target for their generous support and for their creative vision in embracing the social networking world," exclaimed founder Carolyn Blashek. "I also thank everyone who voted for Operation Gratitude in the Target Bullseye Gives Contest; each vote paid to send an additional care package. Target and our voters have truly made a difference to the men and women of the U.S. Military who are in harm's way...far from home and their loved ones. I am forever grateful for their dedication to this cause."
From the outset, Operation Gratitude reached out to its supporters through 'word of mouth,' humorous email announcements and extensive Facebook postings, encouraging all to sign up on Facebook and vote daily for Operation Gratitude in the Target Bullseye Gives Contest. Friends spread the word to Friends and Family, who spread the word to others. Not only did the votes add up, but the number of Operation Gratitude Fans on Facebook increased over 1000% in the 2 week period.
Ultimately, in a loud statement of support and appreciation, the votes ensured that an additional 21,000 care packages could be sent to U.S. Service Members deployed in combat zones this year.
With 291,399 votes tallied, Target will donate a portion of the $3 million amount to each charity based on their percentage of overall 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 - 9,553 votes (3.3%) = $98,350
Kids In Need Foundation - 9,190 votes (3.2%) = $94,613
"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 charitable giving is a nationwide priority. We encourage the more than 167,000 voters to continue their support of these organizations or other excellent charities serving worthy causes."
Throughout the two-week campaign, Bullseye Gives generated extraordinary participation and interesting results, including:
Over 291,000 total votes cast
A 3000% surge in Target Facebook Page wall posts, with more than 3,000 personal stories shared throughout the campaign*
More than 167,000 Facebook members voted for the charity of their choice
Most votes occurred during 12-3pm PST
Operation Gratitude Fans on Facebook increased from 472 on May 9 to 5,131 on May 26.
Operation Gratitude is in the midst of its Annual Patriotic Drive, during which a total of 40,000+ care packages will be assembled for U.S. Service Members. The final weekend of Assembly and Shipping will take place June 13-14 from 9am to 4pm daily at the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, California; hundreds of volunteers are scheduled to participate.
Media are welcome to attend on June 13-14:
National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Corner of Victory and Louise
Operation Gratitude's Annual Holiday Drive will kick-off in late October. The organization will assemble and ship its 500,000th care package in December.
About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude (www.operationgratitude.com) is the 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer organization that annually sends 100,000+ care packages of items and letters addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile overseas regions. Its mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and to express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Each package contains donated product valued at ~$100 and costs the organization $11 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in March, 2003, Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 440,000 packages to American military deployed overseas.
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.
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