Posted on 10/30/2005 6:15:05 AM PST by Diago
www.jsonline.com Return to regular view
A Catholic school in Waukesha County is the first non-profit group in the nation to cancel a coveted American Girl Fashion Show amid concerns that the Wisconsin-based doll company behind the show gives money to a national girls organization that presents abortion, contraception and a lesbian sexual orientation as acceptable.
News of the decision by parent volunteers and the pastor at St. Luke School in Brookfield is being reported in bulletins at Masses this weekend.
"It seemed like a match made in heaven; a motivated Catholic school and an all-American icon," Father Frank Malloy, the pastor, says in his printed explanation. "We seemed poised to raise enough funds for a new playground and a remake of the school library."
But, he concludes, "As for us, it's a bargain we'll just have to pass up. The cost is too high. Our integrity isn't for sale."
Only 60 to 65 American Girl Fashion Shows are held nationwide each year, and no other groups have canceled because of this issue, according to Julie Parks, spokeswoman of the Middleton-based company.
The fashion shows include the firm's popular historic dolls being carried by girls who resemble the dolls and dress in the same outfits.
The parish had scheduled five showings May 19 to 21 at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha.
Organizers had planned to mail invitations to more than 20,000 American Girl doll owners in a wide region. They had hoped to raise at least $10,000 - and perhaps $30,000 or more - through ticket and raffle sales, business sponsorships, and a percentage of sales of American Girl's dolls, books, clothes and other products, said the event's co-chairwomen, Marisa Beffel of Brookfield and Catherine Valentyn of the town of Brookfield.
Beffel, who had originally proposed the fashion show, searched the Internet for details last weekend after word of the company's donations spread. Valentyn, who did the same, said it was a clear, but not easy, decision.
"It wasn't just the money," said Valentyn, president of the home and school association. "It was hard to give up the thought of a really great day for mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and the really great products that American Girl has, these dolls with the historic texts that come with them. But it just felt wrong. We know what the Catholic Church stands for, and we, in essence, represent them."
The parish decision to forgo that and to put a $1,000 deposit with American Girl at risk is one of the latest results of a protest that two national groups - the Pro-Life Action League in Chicago and the American Family Association in Tupelo, Miss. - mounted this month against American Girl and its parent company, Mattel Inc. The league is threatening to call for a boycott of American Girl products if it does not halt the donations by Tuesday.
The spark that set them off was an "I Can" program the doll and clothing company launched Sept. 19 to encourage girls to follow their dreams and to raise money for Girls Inc.
Formerly known for decades as the Girls Clubs of America, Girls Inc. has more than 1,500 centers across the country. Most serve minorities in low-income neighborhoods.
On its Web site and at the centers, it offers a wide range of programs, resources and advocacy positions to help educate and encourage girls in everything from science and athletics to health and sexuality. That includes support of abortion and contraception along with sexual abstinence as acceptable choices for girls. It also includes affirmation of lesbian sexual orientations.
Joyce M. Roché, president and chief executive officer of Girls Inc., was traveling and not available for comment.
American Girl is encouraging girls to sign an "I Can" pledge and to spend $1 for a band that features the firm's signature, berry-colored star and can be used as a wristband, a ponytail holder, a zipper pull, or for other purposes. The pledge is a promise to "be myself," "always do my best," "reach for the stars," "lend a hand to others" and "to try."
Saying Girls Inc. "has helped millions of girls realize their potential," American Girl is donating $50,000, plus 70 cents from each band sale to support Girls Inc. educational programs.
American Girl is holding to its statement that Girls Inc. is one of hundreds of non-profit organizations the firm supports, and that the Girls Inc. donations support three programs that have not been criticized.
"We are profoundly disappointed that certain groups have chosen to misconstrue American Girl's purely altruistic efforts and turn them into a broader political statement on issues that we, as a corporation, have no position," the statement says. "The American Girl brand exemplifies the values of wholesomeness and responsibility that we would expect any organization to commend."
That did not appease Valentyn and Beffel, who thought that some of the content on the Girls Inc. Web site was politicized, inappropriate for girls 12 and younger, and contrary to Catholic teachings.
"I think a lot of moms feel betrayed by the company," Beffel said.
Original URL: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wauk/oct05/366844.asp
American Girl's gifts to agency lead school to scrap show
Backing of lesbianism, abortion sets off storm
By TOM HEINEN
theinen@journalsentinel.com Posted: Oct. 29, 2005
"American Girl is holding to its statement that Girls Inc. is one of hundreds of non-profit organizations the firm supports, and that the Girls Inc. donations support three programs that have not been criticized."
Right. And just putting a LITTLE incense on the Emperor's altar won't do any harm ...
I'm sending them a donation right away and commend them for taking a stand, and I hope all the mothers take the opportunity to talk with their daughters about why this event was cancelled and suggest that they get together and find another way to raise that money and bond with their daughters and grand-daughters.
Have you anything to add as to St. Luke's or Father Malloy?
Moral Absolutes/Homosexual Agenda Two-fer Ping.
Good news on this thread, with lots of contact info for those who want to support those who done good and criticize those who done bad.
Those who done good need our support!
American Girls presents itself (from what I've seen at friends' houses quite some time ago) as a wholesome, traditional values type of company. The fact that it supports an organzation promoting abortion, contraception and lesbian sex for teenagers needs to be publicized!
Freepmail me if you want on/off the M.A. pinglist, and me AND DirtyHarryY2K if you want on/off the H.A. pinglist.
Bless you, Father!
http://www.capwiz.com/girls/issues/votes/?votenum=379&chamber=H&congress=1071
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Look at the picture of that little girl on the Girls' Inc page where they brag about helping defeat abstinence education funding. Scary to think that's the age of the girls they're targeting.
Father Malloy, you are my hero of the week.
Excellent! I hope as word spreads that more people will protest the decisions by American Girl. I've been following this story, but this is the first time that I have read that Girls, Inc. isthe former Girls Club of America. This is extremely disappointing.
As I recall the KKK sponsored a highway cleanup program in Georgia a few years ago. Would AG donate money to the KKK and then take umbrage at the outcry because the money was to be used just for road beautification? Same difference.
Father Frank Malloy
St. Luke
Catholic Church
18000 W. Greenfield Ave.
Brookfield, WI 53045-6615
Thanks for posting the address of Father Malloy. Behavior has consequences, and the consequence of his behavior is that I am going to send him some $$$ for the playground project.
They are keeping a tally sheet, by zip code, with degree of distress, and comments - light up those phone lines!
Good for them.
FWIW, Fr. Malloy is a straight arrow--and says Mass exactly the way it's written in the Missal.
Also a military chaplain in the Reserves.
Do you know where Girl Scouts is nowadays? Equally sad/bad.
Maybe there'll be a "Baby Bits" playset for future abortionists this year, with a real working vacuum pump. Little girls like the one in the picture could wish for one this Christmas.
Pro-Life News: October 31, 2005
'American Girl' Fundraiser Cancelled
In a press release today, Pro-Life Wisconsin commended St. Luke Catholic Parish in Brookfield, WI for cancelling an upcoming American Girl fundraiser that featured the companys dolls and clothing.
American Girl has come under increased public pressure from Christians and others concerned about moral issues after it decided to fund Girls, Inc., an organization that promotes legalized abortion and contraception.
America is beginning to wake up, said Peggy Hamill, Pro-Life Wisconsin State Director. The pro-abortion, pro-contraception juggernaut has long been fueled by backroom deals and corporate contributions just like the partnership between American Girl and Girls, Inc."
Father Malloy published a written statement in St. Lukes Parish Bulletin explaining that though the parish will lose an opportunity to raise funds for their parochial school, they cannot afford to compromise their ethics. Everyone competes for fundraising dollars, but the pursuit of funds cant come at the cost of our integrity, wrote Fr. Malloy. We are a Catholic School and we do have core values of faith and tradition. These we pass on to our young people its why we have a school.
According to Pro-Life Wisconsin, Father Malloy and his parishioners have set an excellent example of placing principle over profit. The parish sacrificed possibly thousands of dollars to take a stand for life. Such courage will most likely not, however, go unrewarded. It would only take a few people who decide not to purchase an American Girl doll, and instead send their money to St. Luke for the parish to recoup their losses, said Hamill.
Fr. Malloy certainly isnt alone, added Hamill. Pro-Life Wisconsin has heard from supporters like Fr. Malloy from across the state. Parents who have purchased American Girl dolls in the past are saying they feel betrayed and are even asking us about American Girls return policy. Its obvious that the parishioners at St. Luke represent only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to those who are angry at American Girl and their affiliation with Girls, Inc.
Thanks for the information.
I'll contact Fr. Malloy and Hamilton this week.
Any update or is OLPH going forward with its American girl events?
____________________________________________________________
This is my parish: Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Lindenhurst 210 South Wellwood Avenue
Lindenhurst, NY 11757-4989
Rectory Telephone Number: 631-226-7725
Rectory Fax Number: 631-225-9597
Pastor: Rev. Monsignor Daniel S. Hamilton
Monsignor Hamilton is very straight arrow and may cancel as more complaints come in.
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