Posted on 12/25/2004 2:15:18 PM PST by DBCJR
"The Salvation Army represents the best of American generosity. They forget about their own comfort; they stand out in the cold, all to raise money to help those less fortunate. They represent what my administration hopes to accomplish: lending a helping hand to those in need," Codey said in a statement Friday.
The red kettles, icons of the Christmas season, were shooed away from Target stores this year when the retail giant said that allowing the Salvation Army to seek donations outside its stores would be unfair to other charities wanting to solicit shoppers.
Responding to Target's decision, Codey earlier this month offered space at New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway rest stops to the Red Kettle Campaign and increased the number of New Jersey Transit locations open to the charity drive.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
December 24, 2004, 2:39 PM EST Newsday
RIDGEFIELD, N.J. -- Salvation Army cash donation kettles received a ringing endorsement from acting Gov. Richard J. Codey on Friday as he invited the organization's bell-ringing volunteers back to state rest stops and train stations next year.
The red kettles, icons of the Christmas season, were shooed away from Target stores this year when the retail giant said that allowing the Salvation Army to seek donations outside its stores would be unfair to other charities wanting to solicit shoppers.
Responding to Target's decision, Codey earlier this month offered space at New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway rest stops to the Red Kettle Campaign and increased the number of New Jersey Transit locations open to the charity drive.
Twelve rest stops on the turnpike and eight on the parkway were opened to the kettle drive; access was granted to 200 NJ Transit stations.
"The Salvation Army represents the best of American generosity. They forget about their own comfort; they stand out in the cold, all to raise money to help those less fortunate. They represent what my administration hopes to accomplish: lending a helping hand to those in need," Codey said in a statement Friday.
He was joined by Salvation Army staff during a news conference at the turnpike's Vince Lombardi Service Center off Exit 18 in Bergen County.
Last year, the Salvation Army raised $1.1 million from the kettle campaign in the state, with $200,000 coming from donations made at Target stores in New Jersey.
The organization's goal this year is $1.2 million. However, Salvation Army Maj. Stephen Banfield said fund raising from the kettle campaign appears to be down across the state.
Codey's decision earlier this month to make state property available drew some criticism.
One group, the American Atheists of New Jersey, contends allowing the Christian organization to use public property violates constitutional mandates for separate of church and state.
Unless the American Atheists of New Jersey are feeding the hungry and sheltering the homelss, they can go have sex with themselves.
This is the first time I've even heard of Codey in the news, since he was inaugurated.
Not bad.
I agree. I don't know much about him, but...a good move. How can he do that in New Jersey????
There will be a price to pay for bucking Political Correctness, the New Age dogma, just as President Bush has paid a price. Even when one serves the Constitution, if it violates PC one is deemed a traitor, a "cowboy", closed-minded, etc. But I thank God for Codey & Bush, who have the guts to do the right thing vs. the PC thing.
He's the governor and the turnpike and parkway are under state control. Let's see how he feels about schools singing Christmas Carols.
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