Well, several, actually. Boston.com website has an article laying out Scrooges (that's right there's more than just Target) and good guys here. Here's some of "whos who" on both sides of the red kettle in that article:
...a growing number of retailers, from Best Buy to Target, are banning Salvation Army bell ringers from their doors -- to avoid having to choose between competing charities and out of concern for customers, they say.
That's created a schism in the retail world, with rival chains banking on kettle-carrying volunteers to set them apart as more civic-minded.
''The Salvation Army has a remarkable history of providing year-round service to families, and Big Lots is proud to continue our tradition of helping with their fundraising goals," said the Columbus, Ohio, discounter in a statement issued last month after Target Corp. said it was banning the bell ringers.
Upon hearing of the Salvation Army's woes -- Target kettles brought in about $9 million last year -- BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. decided to put the nonprofit group's signature red donation kettles in its stores during the holiday season. Auto parts chain AutoZone Inc. and Books-A-Million Inc., the nation's number three book retailer, also opened their doors to the Salvation Army.
The bell ringers are ''very welcome" in front of Wal-Mart stores, said a company spokesman. Even so, the world's largest retailer imposes restrictions: Salvation Army volunteers can stand outside its stores and solicit for only a total of 14 calendar days, and for no more than three days in a row.
So show me making a list and checking it twice.
No comments:
Post a Comment