Royal Canadian Legion members welcome to distribute Poppies in Target Canada stores

Target clarifies policy; Royal Canadian Legion expresses full support

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Target Canada is clarifying its standing policy regarding the Royal Canadian Legion's annual Poppy campaign in conjunction with Remembrance Day.

"Canada's veterans and other Royal Canadian Legion members are most welcome to offer Poppies to customers outside the front of our stores or inside if they prefer," said Derek Jenkins, senior vice president, External Relations, Target Canada.

"We respect and honour the sacrifice of our veterans, which is why for some time now Target has been in discussions with the Royal Canadian Legion about how best to accommodate their members during the annual Poppy drive."

Contrary to some media reports, Royal Canadian Legion members are welcome to distribute Poppies outside or inside Target stores.

The Royal Canadian Legion has expressed its full support for the arrangements made in prior discussions with Target Canada.

"Target is granting the Legion the most prominent location at its stores to offer Poppies for donations, and the Legion is truly grateful for this opportunity," says Gordon Moore, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion.

"Legion volunteers who are offering Poppies for donation want to have the best presence possible in front of Canadians and they have been advised by Dominion Command to meet with local Target representatives to work out the details as to precise locations at each store," adds Moore.

"For the Legion, the opportunity to be present at Target stores during the Remembrance period will ensure many Canadians are afforded the chance to wear a Poppy and honour the sacrifices of those who gave so much."

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,870 stores - 1,788 in the United States and 82 in Canada - and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.ca/corporateresponsibility.

SOURCE: Target Canada

Lisa Gibson, Target Public Relations, [phone]
Target Media Hotline, [phone]