My email to Target sent earlier today:
As a Target and Mervyn’s cardholder and a regular customer for decades, I must say that I am beyond disappointed to hear of your company’s decision to ban the Salvation Army kettles from the sidewalks in front of your stores. I realize that your lawyers gave you a thousand reasons why banning the Salvation Army was legally advantageous, but there was a time not so long ago that even major corporations like yours occasionally did things because they were “right”, not just because they were legally expedient.
The Salvation Army is a wonderful organization that has helped, clothed, and fed tens of millions of people around the world and across our nation over the past century, and they do it with a smile, a bucket, and a bell. Bell ringers do not harass customers, they do not ask for donations, and they do not interfere with them in any way. They just stand there and ring that bell. The Salvation Army bell is a sound many of us associate closely with the Christmas season, and the "Holiday Shopping Experience" that your company seems so concerned about will be incomplete without it. It is a reminder of the spirit of the holidays, and that we should give not only to those we love, but to those less fortunate than ourselves. How can that be offensive to anyone?
You have the right to run your company any way you wish, but my family is under no obligation to support your company in doing so. I mailed my checks off today to zero out and close my Target accounts (enclosing a letter similar to this one), and will no longer be shopping in any of your stores. I have recommended that my extended family, my co-workers, and the families in my children’s Scouting troops do the same, and most have readily agreed that your position on this issue is unacceptable and that your company shouldn’t be supported. This year, we will be restricting our Christmas shopping to stores that remember what the season is all about.
Target, you are truly the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
XX XX
Modesto, CA.
Excellent letter, it covers all the key issues. Walmart's lawyers apparently don't see the same problem Target does.