I just received this in an email from a friend.

Wasn't it last Christmas that Target refused to let the Salvation Army ring their bells in front of their stores?

**** Forrey of the Vietnam Veterans Association wrote.

'Recently we asked the local TARGET store to be a proud sponsor of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall during our
spring recognition event.


We received the following reply from the local TARGET management:
' Veterans do not meet our area of giving. We only donate to the arts, social action groups, gay & lesbian causes, and education.'

So I'm thinking, if the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and veterans in general, do not meet their donation criteria,
then something is really wrong at this TARGET store. We were not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, just a small sponsorship for a memorial remembrance.

As a follow-up, I E-mailed the TARGET U.S. Corporate Headquarters and their response was the same
That's their national policy.

Then I looked into the company further.
They will not allow the Marines to collect for 'Toys for Tots' at any of their stores. And during the recent Iraq deployment, they would not allow families of employees who were called up for active duty to continue their insurance coverage while they were on military service. Then as I dig further, TARGET is a French-owned corporation.

Now, I'm thinking again. If TARGET cannot support American Veterans, then why should my family and I support their
stores by spending our hard earned America n dollars!

And, have their profits sent to France


Without the American Vets, where would France be today?


'They, most likely would be speaking German and trading in Deutsch Marks'

Sincerely,
**** Forrey
Veterans Helping Veterans

I have shopped there 3 times in 3 years...never again

The Wal-Mart near me has a NO solicitation policy. They don't give to anyone and don't allow anyone to solicitate donations in front of the store.

hmmm
such a family oriented store
*pfft*

Hmmm. Maybe I'm too lax, but I don't care. I recall I once heard the CFO or CEO of the company that ran Dominoes and Taco Bell donated money to pro-lifers...

All I can say is that for profit corporations don't have to donate anything. Any of us who shop at chain stores, myself included, can be said to be guilty of the bastardizing and adulteration of America.

I say whats the big deal??? It's their right whether to allow or not allow soliciting on their premises.

If you really wanted to donate, pick a charity and do so, but dont grandstand share malicious info because Target among other stores, dont allow any particular cause.

Or do you want to strip them of that right as well.

you're right...they DON'T have to donate anything.
but to donate to certain groups and have an actual policy against others especially as American oriented as the veterans or marines is a bit immoral

OP

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/target.asp

Becca, the point is who are we to dictate what is moral?

Are you aware of how many agencies collect donations or work directly to vets? Are you aware of how much money our own government spends on them?

I'm just saying.... it's not like they are ignored.

and

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/sallyann.asp

i stand corrected...
thank you
i'm bookmarking snopes.com

Becca... this newfound info aside... do you see what I mean?

I would like to clarify a few things about this.

I worked for Target for 8 years and was the manager in charge of donation giving. The individual store can only give a gift card donation to a 501c nonprofit organizations, yes that covers early childhood education, any type of program promoting arts and social awareness groups (programs that aid in stopping domestic violence).

Target Corporation made a $1.5 donation to Veteran affairs in 2007. Target at the coporate level organized its employees, to help collect and delivery over 150 tons of donated toys for the Marines Toys for Tots programs. The store employees also have collected and sent items for care packages to our troops overseas for the past 5 years. Target also

The first Target store open in 1967 in Minnesota. Target has over 1500 stores throughout the United States, Canada and many foreign countries. Target is a US Corporation and is not owned by anyone in France, never has been. The CEO, the board member are all US & Candian Citizens.

The reason Target does not allow any of these organizations to stand in front of their stores is so that their customers do not feel pressured or obligated to donate. The entire purpose is to deliver a pleasant shopping experience.

Target donates over $10 million, to many different organizations including Veterans Affairs, Salvation Army, Women's resources, American Red Cross, United Way and many others. Many of the smaller organizations are part of United Way, (example Salvation Army, women's resources, planned parenthood)

As far as the medical coverage for deployed military, this information is incorrect. An employee that is deployed while employed at Target is put on a Military LOA (leave of abscence) all benefits continue until the employee returns from active duty to their work place.

I do not know where this gentleman got his information, but the majority of it is incorrect or is missing information.

I hope this clears up a few things for everyone.

so actually its just a made up story?

they barred the bell ringers cause of a no solicitation policy. and instead put up angel trees (for donations to the Salvation Army)

just another story to get people all hysterical (prolly put out by Walmart haha)

you have a point lillith...
but if it were a true statement i would probably choose not to shop there.

"Are you aware of how many agencies collect donations or work directly to vets? Are you aware of how much money our own government spends on them? "

as they should....

Ignorance is bliss. I can promise you, that if you research closely enough every place you shop you will find something you do not like and a reason to boycott them. This is a case of choosing your battles.

by the way, hiya Deb!!!

thank you
i'll feel better about shopping there now
does anyone know who researches the stories on snopes.com?
i think it's a good website to know about.


*waves to robin*

In Lakewood Colorado, a suburb of Denver was Target store #7. The big issue there were the local Hare Krishnas solicting for donations, for books, beads and incense. They were not really appriciated by the shoppers. However if you allow one religious group to solicit, ie The Salvation Army at Christmas time, you have to allow others to do so too. So in order to keep the Hare Krishnas away, Target would not allow any religious organization to solicit.

I lived in the US most of my adult life and stayed away from ALL the big-box chain stores., if you want to support your community, shop at the mom and pop, locally owned stores..sure you may pay a little more and perhaps the choices are a bit limited, but you know who you are giving your money to and supporting your own...

I had certain charitable causes that I would donate time and money to...I suggest researching all charitable organizations to see where your money really goes, you will find that with most of the "larger" well established "charities", like the Salvation Army, etc...at least 50% of your dollar goes to administrative costs..there arent many nonprofit organizations that have low administrative costs, some go as high as 90%!!