Subject: The Salvation Army
Dear Target Guest,
Like many nationwide retailers, Target Corporation has a long-standing
"no
solicitation" policy that it consistently applies to all organizations
across all of its stores.
We receive an increasingnumber of solicitation inquiries from
non-profit
organizations and other groups each year and determined that if we
continue
to allow the Salvation Army to solicit then it opens the door to any
other
groups that wish to solicit our guests. While some ofour guests may
welcome
the opportunity to support their favorite charity or cause, allowing
these
organizations to solicit means that Target would also have to permit
solicitation by organizations whose cause or behavior may be
unacceptable
to our guests.
We notified the Salvation Army of our decision in January 2004, well in
advance of the holiday season, so the organization would have time to
find
alternative fundraising sources. Target also asked the Salvation Army
to
look at other ways that we could support their organization under our
corporate giving guidelines. To this date they have not provided a
proposal
that fits those guidelines.
Local Salvation Army chapters can apply for grants through their local
Target stores. For decades, many non-profit organizations across the
country have successfully worked with Target in this manner. We are
asking
the Salvation Army to work with us in the same exact manner as the
other
groups and organizations who ask to solicit our guests.
This decision in no way diminishes Target Corporation's commitment to
its
communities. Target has one of the largest corporate philanthropy
programs
in America, donating more than $2 million per week and hundreds of
thousands of volunteer hours each year to the communities in which it
does
business.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Hanson
Target Executive Offices
guest.relations@target.com
My reply to them:
I have read with interest and concern your determination to turn the Salvation Army Kettle ringers away from your premises. I know that it is fruitless to attempt to sway your decision, so I won't.
Today I had an opportunity to read an official statement from your organization (printed below). This statement proved to be the deciding factor in my decision to spend my holiday dollars (and the dollars to follow after the holidays) elsewhere. Did any of you that aren't lawyers actually read this? Don't you recognize how weaselly you come off sounding in this communiqué?
No matter. You have the prerogative to conduct your business as you wish (however foolish). Likewise, I have the prerogative to spend my hard-earned monies where I see fit. I find your conduct offensive and unworthy of my continued support.
Enjoy the fruits of your decisions.
{name}
PS: That leaves me with a few extra bucks for the kettle!