Startown Elementary School Principal Barbara Bell said the gift couldn’t have come at a better time. “With the many illnesses going around, this will be a wonderful way to help both our students and our staff stay healthy,” Ms. Bell said. “Having this hand sanitizer readily available in our classrooms will have a definite impact on fighting sickness. We are so thankful to Target and the Newton Police Department for this thoughtful gift.” 

Target recently awarded a $1,500 grant to the Newton Police Department for a project entitled “Infection Control in Local Schools." In addition to the grant, the local police department contributed approximately $315 to the project, which was developed to help battle the spread of colds, flu, and other communicable illnesses.

Police officers and Target officials joined efforts on Wednesday, October 21 to personally deliver 199 two-liter bottles of hand sanitizer to nine local schools in Newton including Startown, where they left 32 bottles.

Newton Police Chief Don Brown said that he believes keeping students healthy means a lot in terms of grades, attendance, and even their future. “Children who are healthy and in school are more likely to excel in their studies and less likely to become involved in criminal behavior,” Chief Brown stated. “By partnering with Target, we are working together for the betterment of our community.

Marc Holtman, Assets Protection Group Leader for the Target Distribution Center in Newton, said Target is excited to award the grant to the Newton Police Department, which in turn, will help the local schools. “We feel extremely fortunate to have established a strong partnership with the Newton Police Department from day one. Community engagement is a big part of what Target strives to achieve whether it’s our law enforcement partnerships or our participation in community events,” Holtman said.