Posted on December 22, 2009

Target’s Univision Special Honors Power of Volunteerism

Editors of DiversityInc., DiversityInc., December 21, 2009

Target is sponsoring Univision’s annual holiday music special, “Target presenta Nuestra Navidad” (“Target presents Our Christmas”), which will rebroadcast Christmas morning.

“‘Target presenta Nuestra Navidad’ is a great partnership and has become an important holiday tradition to Target,” says Greg Cunningham, group manager of marketing at Target. “The program allows us to highlight some of our greatest charitable programs like Target Volunteers School Library Makeovers and Target House, which is an amazing way to kick off this holiday season.”

Along with celebrations of culture and music, this year’s show will focus of the power of volunteerism. Joining in the spirit of community outreach, Target, one of DiversityInc’s 25 Noteworthy Companies, partnered with the Heart of America Foundation and local team members to renovate a school library for P.S. 155 in East Harlem, N.Y., where they donated thousands of books and created an inspiring space for kids to learn, thrive and grow. The children, the school librarian and their principal, Lillian Ortiz, were also treated to a musical performance by David Archuleta of “American Idol” and Latin entertainer PeeWee.

“Volunteerism is the heart of the Target culture and this year’s show is especially near and dear to us,” says Laysha Ward, president of community relations at Target. “As part of this year’s special, Target is proud to continue our involvement with a local New York school that received a Target Volunteers School Library Makeover and bring the students a once-in-a-lifetime special performance.”

The show also features a special tour of Target House, a free home-away-from-home for families receiving long-term treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Luis Fonsi pays a holiday visit to children and their families at Target House.

The Christmas special also highlights hometown heroes from Latino communities nationwide–including a troubled 20-year-old in Los Angeles who turns his life around with the help of a professor and musician, and a 90-year-old grandmother in Bronx, N.Y., who is an advocate for the elderly community in her neighborhood.

“This holiday season, we are excited to share this uplifting holiday special with our viewers and celebrate inspiring individuals who selflessly give back to our community,” says Alina Falcón, executive vice president and operating manager, Univision Network. “We are honored to once again work with Emilio Estefan and Target to bring families across the country a touch of joy this holiday season.”