[DBCJR]

Thank you, Jennifer, for the response. I checked your corporate giving at the local level and it only offers grants of $1,000-3,000, hardly a replacement for the revenues they would raise with their bell ringers. Your guidelines are too restrictive to replace the revenues you have withdrawn.

The Salvation Army is not just another charity. Their work with the homeless, alcoholics, needy families, and victims of catastrophic events is unparalleled. Furthermore, Target fails to see that their bell ringers have become part of the Christmas tradition, as evidenced by their appearance on movies and TV shows. Banning them is bad business, bad PR during your make-or-break season. Not a good move. I'm doing business where the Christmas spirit is better demonstrated. There is something about the "giving season" that's not the same without the Salvation Army bellringers.

Dan

----- Original Message ----- From: "Target Guest Relations" To: "Dan Cross" Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 4:23 PM Subject: Inquiry to Target Guest Relations

> Subject: The Salvation Army > > Dear Dan, > > 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 increasing number 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 of our 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. > > Wenotified 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

[Iam1ru1-2]

I too have put my "Boycott" on Target stores until they allow the Salvation Army's Bell Ringers back at their stores. I do a lot of shopping at Target because it is so close to where I live. BUT, I will not allow this anti-Christian bigotry to continue unabated. It is time for all Christians and Conservatives to put their money where their mouth is an not shop at stores that decide to not celebrate CHRISTMAS as CHRISTMAS, but rather as Santa Claus Day. I am sick and tired of being the target of anti-Christian bigotry by stores, the media, the "entertainment" industry, The Anti Christian Liberites Union, People for the communist way, and the people for the separation of church from America crowds.

[Santana]

http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/store_solicitation.jhtml

See their site for their "pat" answer about solicitations, etc. What a pile of crap. I too refuse to shop Target now because of their anti-Christian policy and have let them know why.

[solitas]

Target isn't the only one. I'd heard that Home Depot was doing the same.
DOES anyone know of a LIST of the stores that won't allow the Salvation Army on their premises?

[cfhBAMA]

I RECIVED THAT VERY SAME FORM LETTER. FROM THE SAME
PERSON. I MENTIONED WALMART HAD FOUND A WAY TO WORK IT OUT. BUT MY LETTER WAS THE SAME WORD FOR WORD AS YOURS.

[myvoice]

Thanks for posting this. I have been meaning to voice my complaint to Target. Here is what I said:

I was once a regular shopper at Target, visiting it several times a week. Several weeks ago when I heard about your decision to ban the Salvation Army, I in return made a decision to ban Target. I feel the reason the Salvation Army is no longer allowed is due to it being a Christian organization. Your anti-Christian stance has cost you my business. You may give to the community, however your position in giving in the name of God has been heard loud and clear. Please do not bother to send me your form letter I will not have time to read it. I will be too busy shopping at Wal-Mart.

No Longer Friends,
X. XXXXX

P.S. My friends and family members have also banned Target.

[t2buckeye]

I shop at Target as well, and when I received "coupons" in an email, I sent a reply that indicated I would not be using them and why. My hope is that when they realize their "regulars" are upset for their Scrooge-like behavior (in my email to them) then the policy will change.

[SEVENCROSS]

Why doesn't everybody just write a big fat check out to the Salvation Army, then they would have their funds, everyone could shop where they pleased, and we could Zot this thread and have a Blessed Christmas.

[GloriaJane]

I sent them a piece of my mind also. Here is what I wrote:

Scrooge,

Sad that you folks there at Target have decided that you'd rather play the part of the Grinch who stole Christmas then to allow the Salvation Army to stand out in front of your stores and ring their bells for the needy.

Nothing I can do about it. But I can tell you that I won't spend my money in your store anymore. I will be doing my Christmas shopping at the first store where I see a Salvation Army worker standing out front. And I will "NEVER" shop at Target "EVER" again!

Merry Christmas! Oh! That's right! You don't believe in The Christmas Spirit anymore! So Baa Humbug to you too!!

[so_real]

I submitted I nice message to Target indicating that making an exception for the Salvation Army in light of the good they do for the community sent a wonderful message. Very few solicitors have the Salvation Army's track record. Very few are as honorable and do as much good. They have, through their efforts, earned an exception for themselves in the hearts and minds of their fellow citizens. By recognizing that the Salvation Army was a cut above the rest and making an exception for them, Target Corporation separated itself from its peers and showed it too was a cut above the rest. Sadly, this appears to be no longer the case. And as such I my family and I will spend our Christmas money elsewhere.

By all means, everyone, share your thoughts with Target. They aren't bad people. Just a little misguided this year. Be nice but firm and help them to regain their former greatness, or allow them to financially wilt and be replaced by another corporation that does understand the greater good.

[TMSuchman]

The closest target store to us is over 30 miles away, it is easy for us not to go there. I voice my disdain for them another way. I am volunteering to help during the season. I am separating the gifts that are being donated to them. My Marine Corps supply [ojt taught] skills are going to a good cause. I run to area in fine USMC fashion. They will be able to send out the gifts in good time too.

[weatherFrEaK]

Dear Target,

As a business owner myself, keep up the good work...clean stores, friendly employees, quality merchandise...everything that Wal-Mart can't offer. I boycotted Wal-Mart some time ago! Thank you for your stores Target! Where else is there to shop?!!!

Mark
weatherFrEaK

PS. A quieter store entrance at Christmas time is alright too. Thanks again!