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[pct-l] For the vets here...
You might want to do a little research before forwarding 3 year old emails,
especially when doing so to email lists about hiking the pct.(not sure how
this relates to hiking or the pct by the way).
P.S.- I'm a vet and I hate when people use that to try to get their way. I
don't need any thanks for defending freedom, freedom is thanks enough.
**
*The claim that Target did not support veterans was false. Not only is the
corporation one of the most generous business entities in the U.S.,
routinely topping Forbes magazine's list of "America's Most Philanthropic
Companies," it donates to veteran-related causes, including
**exhibits*<http://www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=3>
* like the one it was pilloried over its supposedly having given the cold
shoulder.*
Dick Forrey represents the Howard County (Indiana) Vietnam Veterans
organization. In March, 2002, Forrey approached an employee at the local
Target store and asked for a monetary contribution to bring the "Traveling
Wall," a mobile half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washing D.C.,
to his area. What happened after that remains a case of "he said, they
said."
Daniel Cleland, Customer Service Team Leader for Target, told
BreakTheChain.org in 2002 that Target is dedicated to community service, but
like most companies, has policies and procedures that must be followed. He
explained that Mr. Forrey's frustrations were caused by miscommunication and
a failure to observe established guidelines.
"In March of 2002, a veteran approached one of our stores seeking a $100
donation for a display of the "moving wall" in his area. Target does support
events in the communities in which our stores are located. While each store
determines which events to sponsor, any contribution is limited and is made
in the form of a gift card. The stores are not able to give cash
contributions to any organization. Stores are also able to donate volunteer
hours to community events and projects.
"Our corporate giving program that does incorporate cash donations is
handled through a process called grants. Unfortunately, the veteran and his
organization were not provided the proper information to facilitate
consideration of a grant from either the store or our corporate office. The
initial response of the team member at the store and the reply from our
corporate office are inconsistent with the respectful manner in which we
want all of our guests to be treated. We are truly sorry for this oversight
and the resulting confusion that has taken place.
"We accept all applications for grants from January 1 to September 30 of
each calendar year. Any guest can request a grants application brochure at
their local store, called "Grant Guidelines." Veterans programs may be
considered for grants if the subject matter falls into one of our three
general areas of giving: education, arts and family violence prevention."
At that time, Mr. Forrey remained unconvinced. He told
BreakTheChain.orgthat he attempted to apply for a community grant, but
was again told that
his organization did not fit the "three general areas of giving:"
"They finally send me a e-mail trying to explain the same thing they said
to start with except that we could apply for a grant. I then ask for a grant
application and was given the same answer. We as veterans don't meet their
requirements for donating. Right back to what I was told to start with. I
don't care if anyone else wants to spend money with Target but I sure
won't."
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In 2004, Aimee Sands, another spokesperson for Target told
BreakTheChain.orgthat this rumor is not going away. "We've recently
seen an increase in
inquiries related to the email. New variations appear often..." In a public
statement, the company points out that Mr. Forrey has contacted the company
and apologized for the life this letter has taken:
"Since 2002, Target has been the victim of a misleading e-mail campaign.
This e-mail campaign grossly misrepresents our support of veterans and our
soldiers. In fact, the author of the original e-mail recently contacted
Target to express his regret for sending the initial e-mail in 2002 and to
share his concern about the false information being attributed to him.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the Internet and e-mail communication,
the original e-mail has been repeatedly and inaccurately modified and
perpetuated by unknown writers."
Target is a major corporate sponsor for the "Wall That Heals" 2003 tour, as
well as the World War II Memorial and the American Red Cross Armed Forces
Emergency Services, along with local veteran and military organizations.
But this one is not going away. Virtually every chain letter mutates as it
circulates, but its almost frightening the degree to which this one has been
altered. As it passes from inbox to inbox, Mr. Forrey's little bit of
Armchair Activism has picked up virtually every anti-military accusation du
jour:
- *CLAIM: Target won't support veterans, but will give to "gay &
lesbian causes."
TRUTH: Most versions now misquote Target's 'approved' causes as
including "gay & lesbian causes." This was not part of Forrey's original nor
is it part of Target's giving policy. *
- *CLAIM: Target will not allow the Marines to collect for 'Toys for
Tots
TRUTH: According to Target: "Target greatly respects the good work of
the Toys for Tots program and all the volunteers who make this program a
success every year. Target has a longstanding policy of no-solicitation by
any group or organization at our stores. This policy includes the use of our
store locations as collection or drop off sites for any type of activity.
The only organization that we currently allow to solicit at our stores
during the holiday season is the Salvation Army, due to our longstanding
relationship with this organization." *
- *CLAIM: Target "would not allow families of employees who were
called up for active duty to continue their insurance coverage while they
were on military service."
TRUTH: According to the company's statement, "Target Corporation
provides benefits for activated reservists, including pay differential, that
surpass the benefits required by law. Target team members who are activated
for military service and were participating in optional dependent coverage
at the time of their deployment are eligible to continue these benefits if
they choose. Target Corporation also allows any Target team member to
continue benefits as provided by the 1986 Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act (COBRA)." *
- *CLAIM: "Target is French owned."
TRUTH: This is totally false and was added by an anonymous revisionist
to capitalize on the anti-French sentiment prevailing during the early days
of the Iraq war. According to Target: "Target Corporation is a publicly held
U.S. company (NYSE: TGT). The company has been based in Minneapolis,
Minnesota ever since its founding as The Dayton Company by businessman
George Dayton in 1902. Target is not now, nor has it ever been,
foreign-owned." *
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/sallyann.asp
http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/target2.html
On 2/17/06, calliger@infolane.com <calliger@infolane.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Wasn't it last Christmas that Target refused to let the Salvation Army
> ring
> their bells in front of their stores?
>
> Dick Forrey of the Vietnam Veterans Association wrote.
>
> "Recently we asked the local TARGET store to be a proud
> sponsor of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall during our
> spring recognition event.
>
>
>
> We received the following reply
> from the local TARGET management:
> " Veterans do not meet our
> area of giving. We only donate to the arts, social action
> groups, gay & lesbian causes, and education."
>
> So I'm thinking, if the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and
> veterans in general, do not meet their donation criteria,
> then something is really wrong at this TARGET store. We were
> not asking for thousands of dollars, not even hundreds, just
> a small sponsorship for a memorial remembrance.
>
> As a follow-up, I E-mailed the TARGET U.S. Corporate
> Headquarters and their response was the same.
> That's their
> national policy.
>
> Then I looked into the company further.
> They will not allow
> the Marines to collect for 'Toys for Tots' at any of their
> stores. And during the recent Iraq deployment, they would
> not allow families of employees who were called up for
> active duty to continue their insurance coverage while
> they were on military service. Then as I dig further,
>
> TARGET
> is a French-owned corporation.
>
> Now, I'm thinking again. If TARGET cannot support American
> Veterans, then why should my family and I support their
> stores by spending our hard earned American dollars!
>
> And,
> have their profits sent to France.
>
>
>
> Without the American
> Vets, where would France be today?
>
>
>
> "They, most likely would be speaking German and trading in Deutsch Marks"
>
> Sincerely,
> Dick Forrey
> Veterans Helping Veterans
>
>
> Please send this on to everyone you know
> to let Target know
> we don't need them either
>
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