Target and the Salvation Army, The great irony!

[DawnCt1]

I think I read that Target won't acknowledge the word "Christmas" either and sticks to "holidays". Their sales have taken a fall I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I DO get the irony. All this aside, I do love shopping in Target.

That's true, They are a "Happy Holidays" kind of store. I usually respond with Merry Christmas to which the sales clerks respond in kind....with a smile of course.

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

Huh? So what? If Target doesn't want to allow that then that's their right. Besides, I'm pretty sure I saw the SA out front last time I went to Target. I'm sure there's no consiracy by Target to deny funds to any specific charity.

You're right, it is Target's right to allow whoever they want on their property.

According to the American Family Association,
"While Target contributes to homosexual groups, the company publicly states that they will not contribute to any religious groups. For Target, homosexual organizations are worthy of financial support, Christian and Jewish organizations are not." "While Target continues to ban the Salvation Army, competitors such as Wal-Mart are increasing their donations to the Salvation Army. Wal-Mart and others continue to welcome the Army's kettles."

SA is considered a "religious group", therefor the irony of a bellringer standing outside a Target entrance.

 

[Bob Slydell]

According to the American Family Association,
"While Target contributes to homosexual groups, the company publicly states that they will not contribute to any religious groups. For Target, homosexual organizations are worthy of financial support, Christian and Jewish organizations are not." "While Target continues to ban the Salvation Army, competitors such as Wal-Mart are increasing their donations to the Salvation Army. Wal-Mart and others continue to welcome the Army's kettles."

Homosexuality is a religion? Who knew?

 

[Stitchfans]

There is a Target down the street from my house. Sure enough SA is there ringing their bell. I seldom have any cash on me and the guy always makes a point into getting up into my face to wish me a Merry Christmas.

I figure I give to other charities, and I give my time also, so I don't feel guilty or bad. I just smile and say same to you to him.

 

[Bashful2]

Make that 5. What I don't get is all of the defensiveness and assumptions just because Dawn made an observation that she thought was kind of humorous.

 

[Free4Life11]

Bad day at work? Woke up on the wrong side of the bed? In a snarky mood? Uptight? Stick up the....LOL I could go on, but I need to get going.

 

[Briarmom]

You must have missed the news story last year. It was rather huge and many people boycotted Target due to this. They do contribute to charities on their own, just did not want bellringers outside, if I remember correctly. I think I read that Target won't acknowledge the word "Christmas" either and sticks to "holidays". Their sales have taken a fall I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I DO get the irony. All this aside, I do love shopping in Target.

A friend of mine told me her dh won't shop at Target because they don't say 'Merry Christmas' in their ads. I was quite sure they were wrong, but hadn't paid enough attention to commercials. You can bet as soon as I saw the big fat "Merry Christmas from Target' commercial, I called and told her he could resume his shopping there.

 

[ashjohnson80]

Why should that even matter? There are a lot of holidays this time of year, so why should a company discriminate against them by saying only Merry Christmas, with holidays Christmas is included. I've always said Happy Holidays at my store and the past two years I've gotten smiles and nods and it was not an issue, but this year I've gotten mean looks and stuff. I don't understand, are people trying to find something to be ill about, because it sure seems like it.

 

[JennyMominRI]

You're right, it is Target's right to allow whoever they want on their property.

According to the American Family Association,
"While Target contributes to homosexual groups, the company publicly states that they will not contribute to any religious groups. For Target, homosexual organizations are worthy of financial support, Christian and Jewish organizations are not." "While Target continues to ban the Salvation Army, competitors such as Wal-Mart are increasing their donations to the Salvation Army. Wal-Mart and others continue to welcome the Army's kettles."

SA is considered a "religious group", therefor the irony of a bellringer standing outside a Target entrance.

Frankly I couldn't care less if a company donates to my religion's charity .It won't effect whether or not I shop there.I don't hold it against any company if they don't support Jewish causes

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

A friend of mine told me her dh won't shop at Target because they don't say 'Merry Christmas' in their ads. I was quite sure they were wrong, but hadn't paid enough attention to commercials. You can bet as soon as I saw the big fat "Merry Christmas from Target' commercial, I called and told her he could resume his shopping there.

Looks like they felt the pressure and gave in!
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/12/9/134058.shtml

Found this dated earlier
http://www.dakotavoice.com/200512/20051205_1.html

PS-I think I was forgotten in the count of posters who got the irony!

 

[Disney Doll]

I get the irony Dawn, and appreciate it too!!!!!

BTW, our local bellringers ouside Stop & Shop are lovely people. I never get a dirty look.

 

[Mom2be]

Wow this really falls into that "who cares" category. I'm sorry I don't see the irony - Salvation Army does good where ever they are set up be close to a Target or across town. I for one like the fact that there are no bell ringers outside my Target. I don't carry cash and I feel bad when I'm hurrying to get into the store because it is freezing out and by pass the poor guy standing their ringing a bell. I give to charity all year long - but Christmas is the only time I feel pressured to.

~Amanda

 

[N.Bailey]

I love Target and would never hold this against them. It's their right to do as they wish. As a Christian, I also do not take offense when businesses say Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas. It's fact that many (Jewish among them) do not celebrate Christmas and why not spread a message that you want everyone to enjoy their holiday no matter what holiday they celebrate. IMO, the Christian movement is wrong on this one.

Now, I do get offended when they try to pull anything that represents Christianity (manager scene or what not) but allow other signs to represent other beliefs. That's a double standard and one I do not support at all. I say, let them ALL be displayed.

Having said all that, I FULLY support the Salvation Army and will not walk passed a bell ringer without donating (even if I run into 20 back to back) and I do not hate seeing them outside of stores. I also give year round to our local Salvation Army because I love they way they support the community from donated funds.

 

[va32h]

Orginally posted by DAWNCt1: Did anyone force you to respond to this thread or did you just want to start an arguement?

Now that is an example of irony!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

The Salvation Army is not a very good charity, in my opinion--they hide behind their status as a religious organization and refuse to release their financial figures, plus they are ultra-conservative, politically and socially. They do not pay their workers even minimum wage. I have had very negative experiences with the SA keeping my donations for their own organization after promising that the money I gave would go directly to a program that funded medical care for the homeless (several times, the $$ was never passed on to the medical group).

All in all, I don't mind if Target doesn't allow bell-ringers on their premises.

 

[lizz5]

I am employed with Target for the holidays and at orientation we were told about the stink last year. The reason we were told the SA was not allowed was because that was the charity they had allowed outside their stores in previous years. Well other charities complained endlessly because Target would not allow them outside. So, they made the decision to not allow any and to just donate as a company. They also had customer feedback that told them that people enjoy a pressure free shopping experience.
As for the no Christmas we were told we could say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas, whatever we were comfortable with.

 

[richiebaseball]

Well other charities complained endlessly because Target would not allow them outside. So, they made the decision to not allow any and to just donate as a company.

As for the no Christmas we were told we could say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas, whatever we were comfortable with.

See, this just makes too much sense and isn't controversial at all.

Please refrain from this type of post here in the future. It just doesn't fit in.

 

[Mom2be]

See, this just makes too much sense and isn't controversial at all.

Please refrain from this type of post here in the future. It just doesn't fit in.

Bwwhahahahahaha! Thank you!

~Amanda

 

[DawnCt1]

Wow this really falls into that "who cares" category. I'm sorry I don't see the irony - Salvation Army does good where ever they are set up be close to a Target or across town. I for one like the fact that there are no bell ringers outside my Target. I don't carry cash and I feel bad when I'm hurrying to get into the store because it is freezing out and by pass the poor guy standing their ringing a bell. I give to charity all year long - but Christmas is the only time I feel pressured to.

~Amanda

It might be in the "who cares" category but I am glad you cared enough to respond.

 

[DawnCt1]

The Salvation Army is not a very good charity, in my opinion--they hide behind their status as a religious organization and refuse to release their financial figures, plus they are ultra-conservative, politically and socially. .

Oh No! politically and socially conservative too??!! Say it aint so!