thedrifter
10-17-02, 06:08 PM
This email has been cycling around the internet the past few weeks................
Please Read the UPDATE.....................BELOW.........
Vietnam 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." (What is Social Actions?)
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 READ THE UPDATE..........
Subject: Inquiry to Target Guest Relations
Dear Diane,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
We want to clearly and completely apologize for the misunderstanding
regarding Target's support of the Vietnam Wall and our corporate giving
program.
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.Target does not operate
any stores outside of the continental U.S.
Our corporate giving program is handled through a process called grants.
Applications are ccepted from January 1 to September 30 of each year.
Unfortunately, the veteran and his organization were not provided the
proper information to facilitate consideration of a grant at either the
store or corporate level. We sincerely regret this oversight and the
resulting confusion that has taken place.
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 our guests treated. We are truly sorry for this oversight and the
resulting confusion that has taken place.
As you may be aware, Target Stores was the major corporate sponsor of the
recent remodeling of the Washington Monument. To the best of our knowledge,
a formal request of financial support for the new Educational Center and
Museum at the Vietnam Wall has not been received by our offices.
Target appreciates the dedication and service ofall our veterans.
Sincerely,
Daniel Cleland
Group Team Leader
Guest Relations
www.target.com
Sempers,
Roger
Please Read the UPDATE.....................BELOW.........
Vietnam 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." (What is Social Actions?)
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 READ THE UPDATE..........
Subject: Inquiry to Target Guest Relations
Dear Diane,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
We want to clearly and completely apologize for the misunderstanding
regarding Target's support of the Vietnam Wall and our corporate giving
program.
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.Target does not operate
any stores outside of the continental U.S.
Our corporate giving program is handled through a process called grants.
Applications are ccepted from January 1 to September 30 of each year.
Unfortunately, the veteran and his organization were not provided the
proper information to facilitate consideration of a grant at either the
store or corporate level. We sincerely regret this oversight and the
resulting confusion that has taken place.
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 our guests treated. We are truly sorry for this oversight and the
resulting confusion that has taken place.
As you may be aware, Target Stores was the major corporate sponsor of the
recent remodeling of the Washington Monument. To the best of our knowledge,
a formal request of financial support for the new Educational Center and
Museum at the Vietnam Wall has not been received by our offices.
Target appreciates the dedication and service ofall our veterans.
Sincerely,
Daniel Cleland
Group Team Leader
Guest Relations
www.target.com
Sempers,
Roger