Target and the Salvation Army

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RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Apparently what a lot of people don't know about Target is that since they banned the bell ringers, they have been selling a specially designed angel tree ornament with the proceeds going to the Salvation Army. The SA probably gets more that way than if they had a kettle in front of the store. snopes.com has a whole bunch of information about Target that proves a lot of the rumors wrong. For instance when it comes to cash donations the individual stores don't make donations, they come from the corporate headquarters. I used to work for a non-profit and part of my job was to call businesses asking for donations for our various fundraisers and most of the national chains had that policy, unless it was a small donation. The local business owners were much more generous.

Post by redhatterb

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I applaud target for not letting the salvation army stand outside and beg for donations.

I went to cvs today and outside was a SA bell ringer. I decided to toss some change in on the way out. Upon leaving the store and tossing some change into the pail I am told "Merry Christmas"

I don't celebrate Christmas. I told the ringer that she should she should say happy holidays instead because there are people that don't celebrate Christmas. She comes back with a very rude, "Well we do!"

I just gave you money and you say something to offend me? Just apologize and be nice about it. Don't come back with a rude remark like you do.

No more donations from me!

Post By Matt (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

you should research any charity you donate to, because a lot of times whoever the higher ups are, they are way overpaid!!! I think Bob Dole's wife got a lot of publicity in the paper for being overpaid for her charity work.

Post by pabk

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

You should get the information right.. Target does not let them outside the store. However, Target gives them all the stuff people return, anything that didn't sell on clearance, and anything that is slightly damaged, they give diapers that the bag might have a hole. Their back room is filled with stuff for the salvation army and they give a percent of profits to them as well. they offer employess the chance to donate a dollar or more from each pay check. I only worked there for the Christmas season and I was suprised at how much they donate.

Post By Michele (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

TO JM ROSS REGARDING WAL-MART. Wal-mart may be cheaper that Target but at what cost. They use children as laboreres and they refuse to offer any kind of health & dental benefits to the majority of their workers. Not to mention that they discriminate against women. If people don't stop shopping Wal Mart they are going to find themselves out of work because that is the ultimate goal of the Walton clan why do you think they are the largest retailer around because they don't want any competition and when the competition goes so goes our jobs.

Post By Ardyce (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I am really saddened by the way things are turning out with Christmas. It seems with each new year, we are facing what is politically correct to say and do. It is almost a sin to use Christ or God in any greetings. I thought Christmas was a celebration of Christs' birth. What other meaning or reason do we celebrate this holy holiday? As far as target goes, they have a right to do what they want. I for one have my choice also and that is not to shop at their stores any time at all. To me the bellringers were a part of Christmas tradition, it just went along with decorations, music, etc. I have not always fed the buckets but was never offended because they were out there. Now if I donate money I give it to my children to put in the bucket, so they can learn to give. Christmas is the season of giving, but sometimes I wonder how much longer it will be that way. We should never give because we feel obligated but because it is really heartfelt.

Post by debi56

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

In North Carolina, Target routinely donates marked-down clothing to Goodwill. You can buy it with the Target tags still on for a fraction of the cost. Target moves clothing quickly, Goodwill gets a great donation, individuals get new clothing at garage-sale prices. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

Does anyone know if they do this in other states?

Post By susan (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

'scuse me, but where on earth did anyone get the notion that Christmas has nothing to do with
Christ? You'll have to consult something other than that dictionary you have, Tallulah!

Post by nativegirl

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I do not have a Target in my state, but growing up I did have and never cared for Target much, but I do agree that they have a choice. Why is it that just because you are a thriving business that you have an obligation to every charity? Last year I was on a parent committee for a student festival and every year they seek out donations from the community to hold this festival. You would not believe how many organizations and individuals bombard these companies (corporate or individual) for donations! I know that the SA isn't asking Target for donations, but it is Targets choice.

I also know that in my state the SA doesn't have a good reputation. Every time the community has needed it's help it has not gone without a struggle! Huge fires leaving hundreds without homes, fires or floods in large apartment complexes leaving many families without homes, clothes, etc. Both the Red Cross and SA were not very good at help. The poor flood victims were told that flooding wasn't considered a major disaster! Can you believe this? Even our state food bank has suffered and asked for help and been denied. This has been statewide and not just in one community so I refuse to help the SA or the Red Cross and choose to give elsewhere!

Every year my family adopts a family for Christmas, or we know of children that won't have a very good Christmas and we give to them. We also allow each of our FIVE children to pick an angel from the angel tree that is sponsored by a local charity and we bring back gifts to children the same sex and age as our own children. The first year we did it we had our kids each pick out one toy they thought they might want for Christmas and if it was affordable, we bought it and passed it to the angel tree. This is far more rewarding to us even though we barely make ends meet ourselves. It teaches our kids to give and to share. Our kids look forward to it every year!

Post by Princess Frogee

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I think it is a shame that they will not let the Salvation Army at their stores. I am an atheist but I did volunteer my services at their thrift stores for several years. I consider them a helpful humanitarian organization and not a church.

Post By Jazzlyn (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Hey Aeromama, thanks for pointing this out. I don't shop there much, and probably won't boycott them but it's interesting nonetheless.

Post By Angie... (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

"And for your information the Muslim religion is ROUTINELY taught in many public schools while Christianity and Judaism are NOT!! Where are you and the ACLU on THAT??"

That's not true at all... Learning about the Muslim religion in a history class or current events is not teaching people to be a Muslim, which you are clearly suggesting. To even suggest that is stupid. And Christianity is taught WAY more than Islam even in that context. To say otherwise just shows your ignorance or bias.

Don't be so insecure about your faith. My kids are smart enough to go to school and learn about other religions and guess what... they still come home Christians. You shouldn't fear truth. The truth is, other religions exist, IN NO way should public schools encourage one religion over another. It doesn't matter whether the founders were Christian, they were smart enough to recognize that government was stronger if it stayed out of religion. There is a long history of nutty religious leadership by Christians in Europe and Muslims in the mid east. The strength of the US is that seperation.

Post By B-diddy (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Yay for Target! If they let SA there what about the other charities? Besides, I know where they are if I want to contribute. Maybe when they they stop discriminating I will think about it. For now, I'll give my money to Target instead!

Post by Caima

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Dee K.

What has Target got to do with the state? It's a STORE not a government entity.

Where is this separation of church and state?? Did you know our Forefathers routinely prayed in federal buildings and used God as a reference in federal papers for governing the foundation of this country?

Brush up on your history. Separation of church and state is the creation of the ACLU NOT the men who wrote the CONSITUTION (that DOES NOT have the words 'separation of church and state' in it!)

And for your information the Muslim religion is ROUTINELY taught in many public schools while Christianity and Judaism are NOT!! Where are you and the ACLU on THAT??

Post By Fran Marie (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

why should the salvation army be allowed but nobody else? I think they are being fair.

Post by Thursday_Next

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

The claim that Target did not support veterans was false. Not only is the corporation one of the most generous business entities in the U.S., routinely topping Forbes magazine's list of "America's Most Philanthropic Companies," it donates to veteran-related causes, including exhibits like the one it was pilloried over its supposedly having given the cold shoulder. (The above is from www.snopes.com) Well people,YOU have a right to shop where ever you want. Target has a right to DONATE to whom ever they want. TSA has for years been given space for their kettles/bell ringers.They have been at Meryvns for several years and other sites also. If you think it is Right to boycott go ahead if it gives you the Spirit of Christmas, so be it. All I can say is God is watching YOU and Target both.Someday soon we all will lose.

Post By Great granny Vi (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Hello! I just want to say that I don't know of or have ANY pollitical opinions about this...I'm just saying I don't think you need to feel "guilted" into any donation...no one has ever harrassed me where I live. I feel like you should give to the charity or church of your choice...ONLY if you want to...By the way..Christmas begins with Christ! Happy Hollidays to All! :) Aeromama

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Hooray Target for your stand..did YOU ALL know Target donates clearance clothing to SA stores

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Yeah, Target!! Do your homework. The Salvation Army is not just a charitable organization, but a "religion". So, if they let the SA people solicit, it is only fair every other religion should have free access to solicit/talk to customers in front of Target. It's about time someone separated Church and State like it was meant to be. Christmas is a church holiday, has nothing to do with Jesus (look it up in any encyclopedia), and should not be a national holiday ,so why should people have special privileges at this time of year and not at other times.

Post By Dee K. (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I always assumed those were volunteers... so they pay people to ring the bells and then spend a bunch of their money lobbying congress? I think SA needs to re-think some things, SA has become really political. It's harder to support than it used to be.

Post By Stan (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I'm glad that Target said no to the bell ringers. They annoy me. I donate weekly with payroll deductions to the charity of my choice and don't like to have people try to "guilt" me into donating more.

Post By guest (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Thank you for the information. Targart will not be on my list of stores for this reason. No matter how many different stores I visit in one day, I always put a couple of dollars in each Salvation Army Bell Ringer station. They do such good work, put everything into the community and I will not support a store which bans them.

I guess I'll get my dog beds at Orvis instead of the Woolrich I was going to buy at Target. Oris costs more but on the other hand they would not ban the bell ringers.

I'm spreading the word to boycott Target.

Thank you again,
Jennifer
Alexandria, VA

Post by ILuvDobes

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Well, I first had to confirm if this was true and according to
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/sallyann.asp it is, in fact, true. :-(
There is a link from that site where you can write to Target asking them to rethink their stand.
I'm not happy about it. It brings our family and our children great joy to put $$ into those kettles and hear that Thank you and Merry Christmas and know that they are donating their time to help the needy in the community. I am disappointed in their decision.

Post By Fitzfam5 (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I am a regular supporter of TSA, however, I do not feel that Target is wrong. If they let one org., they have to let any & all orgs.,,,it's only right. I, for one would rather they band all orgs. than have some of the "lesser type" orgs. out there soliciting.

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I, also, think it's really terrible that Target will not allow the Salvation Army Bellringers on their property at Christmas time. Seems like all it amounts to is corporate greed. I know that my family and I will NOT be shopping at Target anymore, and I am passing the word around as much as possible to everybody I know.
Nora

Post By Nora (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Even though I don't shop at Target as a rule (because WalMart is much cheaper), I think that not letting the bell ringers be there is wrong. I have never been acosted by any of them. They are an organization that do alot of good in my communtiy.

Post by JMRoss

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I really don't shop there anyway but I'm on the opposite side. I hate being assailed by everyone (all yr.) when I go in to a store. And then they tell you to have a nice day, god bless you or whatever to try to make you feel guilty if you don't donate. It's very obvious. I donate strictly to animal orgs. & I know where to find them. I don't need anyone annoying/pressuring me. By the way, those people who ring the bell for the salvation army get paid. They aren't volunteers like most people think. I just found that out about 2 yrs. ago. It doesn't matter to me but I was surprised.

Post By Vic (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I was very happy to see Target make this decision. I know that the Salvation Army does good in many communities, but they have been recently using donations to lobby the government to legalize discrimination. I will not give any money to them until they embrace diversity not just in their charitible giving, but also in their organization.

I will be encouraging everyone I know to shop at Target this Christmas season.

Post By Fletcher (Guest Post)

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

Target supports many, many programs to help those in need. One is the house they provide for the families whose child is getting treatment at St. Jude. Don't be so quick to criticize, especially when you obviously haven't done your homework! They are entitled to make decisions concerning their company and more than likely had a good reason for making that choice. I, for one, will continue to shop there. They have fantastic products and clearance sale prices! Go to www.target.com and go to the bottom of the page and click on "community"!

Post by Grandma Margie

RE: Target and the Salvation Army

I'm glad to see that I am not the only one angered by Target's decision. Their logic is that if they allow the Salvation Army there, then they must allow anyone who wants to solicit. They also say that they give to the community regularly and have encouraged the Salvation Army to apply to receive donations from Target. I choose not to shop at Target and am encouraging as many people as I can to do the same. I feel that we can get our point across best by hitting them where it hurts the most--the cash register!

Post By euphemia-esmerelda (Guest Post)

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