Target Stores Ban Holiday Tradition!

Published on November 28, 2004 By iamheather In Misc

Recently, Taget retail stores imposed a nation wide ban on the traditional holiday bell ringers of the Salvation Army. Even as a child, I adored these bell ringers with their red buckets. I remember feeling like they were somehow a part of Santa's helpers.

Today, I always give my children some money to put into the red bucket. I take the opportunity to explain to them the meaning of charity. During a holiday season, when it is so easy to get caught up with the "I want, I want, I want," the Salvation Army bell ringers provide an opportunity to discuss those that need. My children get so excited to put the money in the bucket, and the volunteer smiles and wishes them happy holidays.

It is a tradition. I am saddened that Target has taken this approach.

The donations collected at Target alone were enough to feed 6,000 needy people for a third of the year, according to the Salvation Army.

“We’re going to lose 112 days of food service for the hungry because of (Target’s) decision,” said Russ Russell, Salvation Army executive director of development

Comments (Page 2)

Texas Wahine

on Nov 29, 2004

adopt children from the "angel tree" to buy presents for them.

I do that every year, and it is one of the things I look forward to most about Christmas. Since I have boys, I love picking out a little girl to buy clothes and toys for . . . it's so fun! I think it's important to teach (and model) giving with our children. Good for you, heather (though it doesn't surprise me one bit considering the sweet, generous person you are!).

iamheather

on Nov 29, 2004

Since I have boys, I love picking out a little girl to buy clothes and toys for . . . it's so fun!

Do the boys get as excited about buying for a little girl as you do? I know when I had my daughter, I was dangerous in Target! It is so much fun!

I think it's important to teach (and model) giving with our children

I agree. It is one of the highest calls of any good parent to teach charity through actions. Thanks for the compliment, Tex. Doesn't surprise me either that you knew exactly what I was speaking about. I somehow knew you had done this same type of thing before.

LeapingLizard

on Nov 29, 2004

Personally, i dont like the Salvation Army.

I'm with you on this ine. I don't like them either. I think it's all a facade.

island_gurl12

on Nov 30, 2004

Hehe, i love target too. Cheap n cool (wink to wahine...).

Anyhoo, to get back to the subject i hope you'll still be able to donate to the needy ones. X-mas is always tough when you're outta money. By the way anyone want to donate a computer to island_gurl do not hesitate! (jkn

)

The angel tree is such a good idea. I just hope they dont misuse the money they receive like so many other so called charity groups do.

iamheather

on Nov 30, 2004

The angel tree is such a good idea. I just hope they dont misuse the money they receive like so many other so called charity groups do.

The cool thing about the angel tree is that you buy things. For example:

Little Girl named: X
X wears a size 10 shoe, 5 pants, 2 shirt
She loves blah blah blah
She would love to have a blah this Christmas

You purchase those things in any combination and quantity that you want. You then turn the items in with your "angel's" name....very difficult to misuse.

It is awesome and so much fun!

SSG Geezer

on Dec 06, 2004

I am trying to be fair to the Red Cross but the Salvation Army has it all over them in many ways. The cash for services demanded by the red cross applies at disaster areas also from everything I have heard.
While the SA does not demand repayment. They get my CFC money every year since I know people who were taken off the street, into treatment, and trained in a new job due to their efforts. Perhaps this is why Joan Kroc,
The McDonalds Heiress gave them 1.6 Billion. She saw it work in San Diego and gave this gift to build more community centers.
The fact that they cannot assist everyone is a fact of life since they have a much smaller pool of resources than the Red Cross. The red cross certainly pays it's employees well for being a non-profit. Ask anyone who manages
a branch office. They loved to sell smokes to GI's dying in the triage tents of France during WWI and I doubt that they have changed much since. Rightwingers dad has it right. Donut dollies did it for the money.

iamheather

on Dec 06, 2004

While the SA does not demand repayment

I know people who were taken off the street, into treatment, and trained in a new job due to their efforts.

Very interesting information. Thank you for sharing, SSG.

messybuu

on Dec 06, 2004

It sounds like a case of "Damned if you do, damned if you don't," for Target. I don't blame them for what they did. I blame the other charities for ruining it for SA.

SSG Geezer

on Dec 06, 2004

And an insightful for you oh messy of buu!

iamheather

on Dec 06, 2004

It sounds like a case of "Damned if you do, damned if you don't," for Target. I don't blame them for what they did. I blame the other charities for ruining it for SA.

Me too! Or the lawyers at the least.

shadesofgrey

on Dec 06, 2004

I realize the point of this article isn't necessarily to knock Target, and many people have given just kudos to their charitable donations. I wanted to add this tidbit as well:

TODAY'S TRIVIA: Heir to the Target Corp. retailing fortune, Sen. Mark Dayton, donates all but $1 of his annual salary to a senior citizen advocacy group in Minnesota.

Thanks for the interesting article.

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!