The American Legion and Target Join Forces to Raise More than $100,000 to Help Troops Attacked in Afghanistan

Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:46am EDT
 
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INDIANAPOLIS--(Business Wire)--
In less than a week, an American Legion blog site raised more than $50,000,
which Target matched with an additional $50,000 contribution, to help U.S.
soldiers who were forced to destroy their camp and all of their possessions
during a deadly Oct. 3 enemy attack in Afghanistan. In addition,
Connecticut-based Computer Sciences Corporation has donated 56 laptop computers
to the relief effort to replace those that were destroyed. 

The Combat Outpost Keating Relief Fund sprang to life on The American Legion`s
Burn Pit blog site after one of the 56 surviving troops wrote in an e-mail that
he believed no one at home had any idea what they were doing there, and that no
one cared. 

"The American Legion, Target and all who contributed to the COP Keating Relief
Fund have shown these brave soldiers that we do indeed care," American Legion
National Commander Clarence Hill said. "The relief fund contributions will help
replace such things as digital cameras, video games, DVDs, books, memory cards,
music players, and other personal items that give soldiers a break from the
intensity of the war." 

The early-October attack by Taliban-allied militants in the rugged Nuristan
province of Afghanistan claimed the lives of eight American soldiers from Bravo
Troop 3-61 Cavalry out of Fort Carson, Colo. The troops were forced to call in
an artillery strike on their own position to destroy the camp before it was
overrun. 

On Saturday, Oct. 24, members of The American Legion will go to a Target store
near Fort Carson and purchase many of the items that will be shipped later in
the month to Afghanistan. Also participating in the "packing party" at American
Legion Post 209 in Colorado Springs will be members of Fort Carson`s Family
Readiness Group. Similar shopping and packing events are planned for Minneapolis
on Oct. 27 and Fairfax, Va., on Oct. 29. Target Volunteers will help assemble
the packages in Fairfax. 

"Within a month of losing everything other than the clothes on their backs,
these soldiers will have replacement items from home and a realization that they
are not forgotten at war," said Hill, who leads the nation`s largest veterans
service organization. "It is our duty as a nation to stand by those who go in
harm`s way on our nation`s behalf. Visitors of the Burn Pit, Target and
Legionnaires across the country understand the importance of that duty." 

"For years, Target has donated funds and volunteer hours to local and national
veterans' and military organizations," said Laysha Ward, president, community
relations, Target. "It is our hope that our contribution, along with other
generous donors' gifts, will show our thanks to the soldiers of COP Keating who
are sacrificing so much for our country." 

About The American Legion

With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion
is the nation`s largest veterans organization. It was founded in 1919 on the
four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and
youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities
through more than 14,000 posts across the nation. 

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,743 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. 

Media contacts:For interviews with Cmdr. Hill or other requests, call Craig
Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-0887 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell
(317) 748-1926.

The American Legion
Craig Roberts, 202-263-2982, Cell 202-406-0887
Joe March, 317-630-1253; Cell 317-748-1926 

Copyright Business Wire 2009

 

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