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| Rcv'd this from a friend.
Subject: Veterans Not Worthy Of Target's Help
By Dick Forrey, Vietnam Veterans Association
We asked our local Target store to be a sponsor of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall during our spring recognition event. We received back a reply from Target management that "veterans do not meet our area of giving. We only donate to the areas of arts, social actions and
education."
My thought: if the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and the Vietnam veteran himself, does not meet the criteria of these areas, something is wrong at Target. We were not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, but simply sponsorship endorsement for a "memorial
remembrance".
As follow-up, I e-mailed the corporate Headquarters and their response was the same. Personally, I will NOT be buying anything at Target Stores again. If the Vietnam Veteran does not meet their area of giving then why should I, as a Vietnam veteran, spend my hard earned money in their stores?
Please pass this on to as many people as you know. Maybe Target and other businesses will get the message. Veterans Helping Veterans
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| That is the most ridiculous excuse I've ever heard. I won't shop there at all. | |
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| I agree that sucks. But hey, they are target, we ever get bombed they will get it first. | |
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| I understand your frustration over your experience with Target and their donation policy. I am a former Marine GySgt and share your concerns over veteran issues. I am also a business owner. It is incredible the number of requests for donations a company like Target receives. Many companies have decided to put a focus on their giving so that the maximum benefit can be achieved. There are a finite number of dollars companies can spend on donations. Spreading those dollars over a large number of recipients means that no one organization receives enough to really make a difference. Deciding to limit the number of causes you can support means that a large amount of money goes to a small number of causes making a real difference in what they can accomplish. I applaud companies who take the time to plan how to most effectively use their donations for the greatest good. This is a matter of focus, not meant to demean or impune the other worthy causes like veterans issues. I hope when you consider all sides of this issue, you will reconsider your decision about patronizing Target. Don't condemn a company for truly trying to make a difference in the world.
Semper Fi | |
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| Rpieske....I understand where you are coming from. But if the quote originally italicized was the response from Target it was an EXTREMELY poor attempt at PR. Telling a veteran's group they "do not meet our area of giving" is hardly even politically correct in society today. A brief acknowledgement of the worthiness of veteran's causes an explanation of limited funds contributed to somewhat more active causes would have been in order. Although I find money contributed to "social actions" and "arts" not to have any active qualities whatever. Educaton, maybe, but what types of education. The whole thing being poorly done by such a large organization smacks to me of being run by someone liberal minded. Somehow those who put their life on the line so Target could continue to flourish don't merit even a polite "no thank you" because they must concentrate on "arts, social actions, and education". Probably contributing our hard earned dollors to PETA and other such worthy causes.
They've lost my dollars for now....can we get a Target customer service website we can express "our gratitiude" too?
BrianW | |
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| Having some knowledge on how Target supports the community and donates to worthy causes, I will say that rpieske put it very well for the most part. There's no company that can give to every worthy cause. They have a budget, and where they can make worthy donations is limited. They have their certain areas where they put their focus on, and because of financial limitations, it is not humanly possible to donate to every worthy cause.
Could their explanation have been worded better? Absolutely. But to say that you won't shop at Target because they don't make donations for Veterans? That's pretty ridiculous. If I myself was to donate to every worthy cause that came asking for my dollar, I would have been broke a long time ago. I will choose the one or the few places where I can afford to make my donations, and that's it. That doesn't mean that I feel other areas are any less important. But everyone, individulas and corporations alike, should have an area of focus.
Target chooses to put their focus in areas that doesn't include Veterans. That doesn't mean they feel that Veterans are not a worthy focus. It's simply an area that Target's focus is not on when it comes to their donation dollars.
I can't say where Target donates all of their dollars. But I do know that the largest percentage of their donations goes to United Way, a very worthy cause, as there are thousands. They also focus on area schools, allowing their customers to have a certain percentage of their purchases go to the school of their choice. Target is one of the most giving, if not the MOST giving company of any retailer in the country. Trust me when I say that Target stands head and shoulders above 99% of the companies in America in how they operate and what they give back to the community.
AWH | |
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| When a corporation is forcing it's employees to donate 'appropriate' amounts refelctive on employee evaluations the employee should at least get to chose where their donation goes.
Brian
HM3, Go Navy, | |
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| Personally I have never liked shopping at Target now I actually have a reason. I agree they should word the response differently. I don't know a veteran who takes things like this lightly (myself included). But we can't reasonably expect everyone to see things the same way. Especially non-vets. You'll never have any idea what kind of experience it really is unless you sign the line.
82nd Airborne | |
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| DocEsox:
It upsets me to hear that contributions to arts and social actions have no "active qualities." Social actions include giving to organizations that improve conditions for many deserving people. Examples include the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the handicapped, medical research and others too numerous to mention. Without support for the arts there would be less music, painting, opera, poetry, novels, etc. The Taylor family (Enterprise Leasing) just gave something like $12 million to help keep one of the world's best symphonies operating (St. Louis). I understand and agree that art shouldn't include things like cow dung smeared on a picture of the Virgin Mary, which was well publicized. But I am not going to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Among those rights we veterans fought for was the freedom of expression and the right to have an unpopular opinion. I will exclude my donations to organizations who do those sorts of things, because I believe they erode the values of our citizenry rather than help people grow. I have been a conservative all my life, but I do not look for a "liberal agenda" behind every decision made by others that I do not agree with. It's time we all use our God given abilities to work together for the common good. The illogical, mean-spirited organizations like PETA will collapse from their own ridiculous agenda. I guess President Bush's press conference today, really jumpstarted my optimism about this country's future. Way to go GWB! It was refreshing to hear honest talk without rhetoric. Come on Doc...let's have a beer at Green's on LOTW this summer, argue some, laugh alot and enjoy the wonderful life we have. I'll buy! | |
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| I support those who support the vet organizations. Those companies who choose not to support vet orgs receive none of my time nor money. I am just one of many who made sacrifices, + their $$$$ or lack of cannot pay for the mental/physical pain each vet, regardless of age or branch has endured. I don't give a gnats backside how charitable they appear to be. Just glad I got a choice....
101st Airborne | |
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| Sponger,
That says volumes, sir. Freedom is what this country's structure is supposed to be based upon. Freedom to choose where we shop, worship, work, play, and with whom we wish to do those things. If Target chooses to give to one group, but not another, the beneficiaries of the charity may choose Target, and those not meeting Target's criteria may choose another retailer.
Is Target somehow a 'bad' organization because of the policy described in the original post? Perhaps short sighted and rather lacking in the finer points of PR.
I am not a veteran, but two of my sons are. I simply support those who share my interests, and for those who do not, there is the 'thumb my nose' option. THAT is an example of the freedom you and so many other veterans have preserved for the rest of us.
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| Rpieske...Target has the right to contribute to anything they want to...but their response was a polite refusal was a slap in the face of vets. The statement is extremely dismissive. The United Way comes up....do you know what organization has contributed massively year after year to the United Way. Yeah...the underserving of at least a polite response, military. Although the contributions have started to wane since the United Way begin excluding organizations like the Boy Scouts. I'd pretty much bet ya anything not a penny of money goes to the Boy Scouts from Target. But the United Way has added many, many lesbian, gay and other orgs, like PETA, who deserve no such funding, in my humble opinion. I stopped giving anything to the United Way at the point and contribute to individual orgs.
Two years ago while living in Great Falls, MT my wife was the fundraiser for the Montana State Gymnastics Championships. She wrote many letters to businesses in the city and the only large one which didn't contribute or help in someway was Target. They basically said if the gymnastics org didn't have a federal license so they could write if off their taxes they won't contribute anything. Marvelous attitude in a small town....perhaps they helped out with some horse dung art in town...I don't know. But they were without a doubt the rudest business my wife dealt with. To me this new little reminder just puts me over the edge with supporting them as a store in any way. Just my veterans' opinion.
BTW...if you think anyone's support of PETA is meaningless and they will fall by the wayside from their misguided and ridiculous agenda you better look at the gains they have been making. Do you think they present the ludicrous side of their true intent by advertising it to the general public...NOT!! They are definitely making strides in part because of our own apathy in not actively refuting them....they have very wealthy Hollywood support and hardly need any help from us.
Enough rambling....
BrianW | |
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| DocEsox:
While there may be local variance in how money is spent by United Way, I was unable to find any of the organizations like gay and lesbian, PETA, NOW, etc. listed in the support list for the Twin Cities United Way. What was there included the Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, etc. I was unable to find a National List of supported groups.
One of the things we all have to watch out for is rumor quoted as fact. We all get emails loaded with supposed facts that if you check out internet hoaxbuster websites you'll find are false. I don't know if United Way on a National Level does or doesn't support BSA, GSA, YMCA, etc. However, I do know that in Minnesota these groups ARE supported. Check it out for yourself.
http://www.unitedwaytwincities.org/impact/agencies
I tend to check out stories I hear for accuracy, so I don't pass on incorrect information. A good site is http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org among others.
Today is the 225th Birthday of the Marine Corps. So for all of you Marines, Happy Birthday. And for all veterans who have stood on the line for our country...thanks and God Bless you. | |
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| Rpieske....the only United Way donation list I have seen is the rather lengthy one printed out for all the military donations. The last time I looked at it well over a year ago there were at least half a dozen organizations which were gay or lesbian. Additionally, the BSA were not on the list of possible orgs to earmark the money to. Sorry, but all I used was my eyes.....no rumors.
BrianW | |
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| Let us PLEASE keep this conversation as civil as it has been. Please keep the cusses out of the discussion and everyone please continue to respect the opinions of others.
MY COMMENT: the nice thing about the United States is this; for every Target, there is a WalMart. Been thinking about Target's stance, not totally sure how I feel about it yet. My personal feelings on organizations and donations comes most directly from my dealings with the Ashton Fund. Of all the donations I and others brought in, I recieved only 3 NOs on giving....1 from a company just too small and cash strapped to be able to help, 1 from a well known bait maker that was very sincere in their apologies that they had already given more than they should to other charitable organizations, and one from a large retail muskie store (process of elimination you can figure out who that is...). The first two I would NOT hesitate to buy from in the future, the third I will NEVER buy a single thing again from them...not from their lack of a donation, but more from the NASTY uncaring attitude that the owner of the operation showed me. It is one thing to say no, it is another to show a total lack of caring or feeling. But, I'm not saying it is an EVIL organization, just one that I choose not to spend my money at. Target gives money to causes, they don't HAVE to, yes they use it as a tax write off, all corporations do that. If you do not agree on their stance on the manner by which they choose whom to donate money to, WalMart will be more than willing to take your money. Personally the 2 are within 2 blocks of each other in my town, and yes, from now on, given the choice between the two, I will go to WalMart. I am not a Vet, but my friends are, yes DocE I consider you and Sponge to be friends, so I support YOU in this cause, but I do not villafy Target, if that makes sense. Personal choice is one of the freedoms that makes our country great, exercise that right, and the right to express yourself to any organization if you feel the desire to do so.
Slamr
*remember LIBERAL (me)is not a dirty word, neither is CONSERVATIVE (many of YOU)....you pull right, I pull left, our country finds the middle ground.
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| This is the skeptic in me talking...... Is the email real? I help people with email up to 8 hours a day, I end up with lots of junk email that I read and discard. Some of it looks real but most of it is not.
If someone could answer these questions.
1) FishHunter3, Do you or your friend know Dick Forrey?
2) What was the original wording of Targets letter stating that they will not donate to the cause?
I have a very hard time believing everything I read. Especially when any email says "pass it along to as many people you know". Those are the buzz words for SPAM.
I support veterans. My parents are both veterans of WWII. I lost uncles WWII and Korea. I have friends serving in the Military today. I will say a prayer for them on this Veterans Day. Happy Belated Birthday to the Marine Corp. 227 years old. | |
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| Please excuse my ignorance, but what is this PETA??? I am in Canada so I don't think this group is here but I wish to know why everyone is displeased with them? thanks, BTW here today we had Remembrance Day and it almost makes me sick at the number of people who cannot take a minute of their day to have a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers in all the wars, sorry about the rant but the Vietnam wall of remembrance made me think of this.
Musk. | |
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| Sharp Hooks:
Math was never one of my strong points. Thanks for pointing out it is the 227th birthday. Slamr, I absolutely agree with you. You said it much better than I. I like the fact that this board will discuss things without rancor. We all know what nasty posts did to one of the other boards....they are lucky to get 3 or 4 posts a day now.
Thanks to all of you for a solid discussion on the subject. It has given me alot to think about. Here a website which has examined the Target story and clears up any misinformation. http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/boycotts/target.htm
Semper Fi | |
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| rpieske, Thanks for the website.... Very interesting article... It answers lots of questions I had.
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| Rpeiske....thx for the website also. Although it sheds a bit broader light on this particular episode...combined with my other experiences in working with Target for 'local' donations this is only more of the same. The fact of a bit of PR coporate backtracking once something negative comes up is not surprising.
Wallyworld here I come....easy for me to boycott Target up here as there are none in Alaska....
BrianW
Musktothehuhhuh.....PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. A very extreme, well heeled group whose goal is to ban all fishing and hunting. They are vegans with a vengence and their they have no compunction about using underhanded tactics. They present themselves to the general public as a group interested in helping out animals; i.e., little puppies, kitties, etc., etc. There are areas they actively seek political offices to further the overall agenda. AND they seem to be all the rage with "the beautiful people" in Hollywood.
BrianW | |
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| HUH? Winter already? I thought I was still fishin...
I am fully on the side of Target to give to whatever area they desire. I can't see that the areas they choose are any worse or any better than the Veterans. I don't think that boycotts are meritted. They have simply made a choice on the areas they want to support, and that does not equal a rejection of Vets, nor anything anti Vet that I know of. You fellas seem to be painting in black and white here. I hate to see rigid thought in any group because it makes their problem solving capability shrink so. Why in h#@% is this on this board anyway?? Is this muskie first or American Politics???
hmmm maybe some slogans??
America Love it or Leave it?
My way or the hiway?
If you aren't with us you're against us?
[:p]
My favorite
"Keep an open mind and a thick skin"[;)] | |
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| firstsixfeet:
The topics get wider as the opportunity to fish shrinks. It's good to know that muskie fishermen aren't one dimensional. (Especially after the season ends!)
Have a confession to make...I don't shop Target either. Give me WalMart, Sam's, BassPro, Cabelas and any hardware store. I guess it's time to get my equipment ready for saltwater and snook.
Sempre Fi | |
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Target Doesn't Support Veterans