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thedrifter
03-14-05, 03:25 AM
Semt to me by Mark (Fontman)


Target Stores vs. Vietnam Veterans
By Gary King
Bella Online
March 14, 2005

I would like to clarify some things for people who have either quit shopping at Target or who received a misleading message about Target Stores and their lack of support for veterans.

Since 2002, Target has been the victim of a misleading e-mail campaign. The e-mail campaign grossly misrepresents their 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 communications, the original e-mail has been repeatedly and inaccurately modified and perpetuated by unknown writers.

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.

Target has supported many charitable causes throughout their history, including veterans' organizations. For years, Target has donated funds and volunteer hours to local and national veteran and military organizations around the country.

National Charitable Giving Examples:

* World War II Memorial
* "The Wall that Heals: 2003 National Tour, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund outreach initiative that honors our veterans and has a strong educational component for schools.
* American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services

In addition to supporting veteran and military organizations on a national scale, Target also supports local organizations:

* Yankee Air Force Museum in Ypsilanti, Michigan
* Hays County Veterans in San Marcos, Texas
* Kenny Nickelson Memorial Foundation for Homeless Veterans in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Reservist Benefits:

Target Corporation is proud to count many veterans and military reservists among its more than 300,000 team members nationwide. To help support these team members, Target Corporation provides benefits for activated reservists, including pay differential, that surpass the benefits required by law. The Reserve Officers Association has recognized Target for these benefits, and the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve also lists Target on their Web site at: http://www.esgr.org/employers/outstandingEmployers.asp. 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).

Giving Policy:

Target gives to diverse causes that reflect all types of guests in a wide variety of communities. While every cause is worthy, Target receives thousands of grant requests every year and unfortunately, they are unable to grant funds or partner with every organization. For more information that describes the guidelines and the application process, visit any Target store and ask for the grants brochure or go to target.com and click on "Community Giving."

Marines Toys for Tots:

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 their stores. This policy includes the use of their store locations as collection or drop-off sites for any type of activity. The only orgainzation that they currently allow to solicit at their stores during the holiday season is the Salvation Army, due to their longstanding relationship with that organization.

Target Corporation wholeheartedly supports U.S. veterans, reservists and active duty personnel. They are proud of their record and remain committed to continuing support of veterans' organizations as part of their overall charitable giving program.

The following news release by the Veterans of Foreign Wars may help to clarify why and how this happened. It should not have happened but it did, because of someone who did not think and who created a nightmare that Target did not deserve! But, if someone at ONE Target store would have handled the situation better, this all might have been prevented.

NEWS RELEASE:

Today's Internet A Breeding Ground for Mininformation"
Check Facts Before Taking Action

Although there has been a resurgence of patriotism and support for our nation's veterans, there have been various messages posted on the Internet that would lead people to believe that corporate America, specifically retail department stores, are falling short in supporting our nation's veterans.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars would like to remind all that the Internet culture weaves rumors and misinformation. Simply put, don't believe everything you read. For example, an e-mail message urging veterans to boycott Target has been circulating on the Internet because a solicitation request to support "The Moving Wall" was denied.

Target has a long-held corporate policy regarding donations. And in all fairness, Target contributes more than $2 million weekly to charitable causes and is one of the corporate sponsors for the 2003 tour of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Fund's "The Wall That Heals." "The Wall That Heals" is a traveling Vietnam Veterans memorial and museum that has a strong educational component for schools and serves to honor all our veterans.

In response to all the misleading e-mail messages and the barrage to quit shopping at Target, etc., they issued a response and their letter is as follows:

Target's Letter to Vets

We want to apologize for any misunderstanding regarding Target's support of the Vietnam Wall and our corporate giving program. Giving back to the communities where our stores are located is something we're proud to do. In fact, nationwide, Target Corporation gives back more than $2 million a week to the communities where we operate stores.

In March of 2002, a Howard County veteran approached one of our stores in his home state of Indiana, seeking a $100 cash donation to support a display of the "moving wall." However, stores are not able to give cash contributions to any organization. Contributions from stores are limited and are made in the form of a gift card.

Our corporate giving program that does incorporate cash donations is handled thourh a process called grants. Unfortunately, the veterans and h is organization were not provided the proper information to facilitate consideration of a grant from either the store or our corporate office. We are truly sorry for the manner in which this was handled and the resulting confusion that has taken place.

We accept all applications for grants from February 1 to July 31. Any guest can request a grants application brochure, called "Grant Guidelines," at their local store, or access a grant application at: http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/grant_guidelines.jhtml.

Target appreciates the dedication and service of all our veterans and has previously funded projects benefiting veterans. Target Corporation will be one of the sponsors of the 2003 tour of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's outreach initiative, The Wall That Heals.

Thank you again for your comments.
Sincerely, Jennifer Hanson, Group Team Leader, Guest Relations, TARGET

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I have no doubts there are still messages floating around somewhere which someone will read and will probably boycott a Target store, BECAUSE, they believe what they read and do not check all the facts. All of us have been guilty of that at one time or another. This is one example of how a molehill can be turned into a mountain and it can really hurt someone. This time, Target got caught in a situation which could and probably did cost them thousands and thousands of dollars.

As the Veterans Host at Bella, and a 50% service-connected Korean, Vietnam veteran, I want to apologize to Target Corporation for this unfortunate happening. And as for me, I will make it a point to shop at Target, as a citizen and as a veteran, to show my support for Target, because they have always been fair to veterans and an asset to America.

You know what else we should all do? We should all take time to THANK Target because what that one veteran did, and what it probably cost ultimately cost Target, could have led to one lawsuit against that veteran that he could never have repaid. I thank God for that veteran that Target had the restraint to handle the situation and take the lumps. It just goes to show how far they will go to support veterans, and even those who make a mistake like this one.

Thank you Target!


Ellie