Emerald Coast Boys and Girls Club receives grant from Target

After a successful Emerald Coast Boys & Girls Club Day on Sept. 20 at the Okaloosa Island Conference Center, head sponsor Target renewed a grant to put on the event in 2008.

"We had a phenomenal number this year of more than 2,100 people," said Emerald Coast BGC Director Michelle Wright. "This was our sixth year of doing this and our first with Target."

This year's event had activities sponsored by big names such as Nike and Home Depot as well as presentations from the Okaloosa Sheriff's Office and a local fishing captain.

"Having the event down on Okaloosa Island allows a lot of our kids from Walton County to come," said Wright. "I think the conference center is a good centralized location."

According to BGC, Target stores donate five percent of its total profit to non-profit organizations that support education and local communities.

"At Target, we are making a real difference every day through our grant-making program," said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations. "We're proud to partner with the local Boys & Girls Clubs as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work."