Free Republic

Target Corp.’s decision to bar the Salvation Army from ringing bells outside its stores at Christmas apparently generated some benefit for the Christian charity. The Salvation Army benefited over the holidays from record donations in Columbia and elsewhere in the nation. "At first we thought this was going to be a crushing blow," Heather Duren, director of development for the charity in Columbia, said of Target’s decision. "It was in other communities, but fortunately not for us." The Tree of Life campaign in Columbia surpassed its $250,000 goal with $278,325 in donations. Duren said the Red Kettles accounted for $96,631...

Minneapolis-based Target Corp.'s decision this fall to stop allowing Salvation Army bell ringers at its stores has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Lake County Salvation Army. Capt. Diana Williams said she lost three locations with Target's decision, and touched off a search prior to the start of the kettle drive to find replacement sites at other stores. She looked at corporations the Salvation Army already knew would allow bell ringers, and contacted the local stores. The result - seven new sites for a net gain of four. Salvation Army now operates 27 bell-ringer locations in...