HOAX: Re: FW: [SCREC] Target Stores

[Guest guest]

This is a HOAX! This is why we ask that members to not send

forwards to the cfparent list. (It's not true, it takes up space on

the list, takes time to read and delete, etc.)

Check hoaxes out at

http://www.internet-101.com/hoax/

http://www.snopes.com/

or one of a heap of other hoax/urban legend/ myths sites.

It took me about ten seconds to find that the Target/Veteran thing

was a hoax - probably less time than it took to forward it to people

in an email address book.

~

Target and Veterans Organizations

---------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

First Published November, 2002

Updated December, 2002

There is a chain letter calling for a boycott of Target stores based

on their perception that Target is anti-veteran.

This conclusion was reached by the author of this chain letter based

on the rejection by Target for money to be used for a local Vietnam

Memorial Wall. This is not the same as the " The Wall That Heals "

which is a traveling version of the Vietnam memorial in Washington,

D.C. For the local project it seems no formal grant was applied for

by this organization initially, but that isn't the point. Companies,

including Walmart, Kmart, and others set guidelines for what

organizations they will give to at the local level. They have every

right to do this, or if they want they don't have to have to give

anything to local charities. They could just refer people to the

corporate headquarters for donations. There are countless

organizations who might apply for this money so guidelines make it

easier to decide how to allocate this money.

Most companies won't give money to any organization which does not

hold a 501©(3) status. This IRS code means all money donated to

this organization can be deducted from your federal taxes. Checking

with the IRS, I found that County Vietnam Veterans

Organization is not even coded. They are still showing in the IRS

database as the County Veterans Memorial Corporation and

listed as a public charity with 50% tax exempt status. This means

if Target gave money to them then they could only deduct 50% of it

from their taxes.

Further, under Target's guidelines local Blind, Multiple Sclerosis,

or Humane Society charities would not be granted monies. Does that

mean Target favors inhumane treatment to animals, or could care less

about blind kids? They have selected some very important and worthy

local charities (arts and family violence prevention) to support.

The company gives 2 million dollars a week to help these groups.

Instead of being grateful that a company was willing to give this

much money (more than a great many other companies) to these

important nonprofit charities, it is being attacked for all the

causes to whom it is not giving money.

Remember, these guidelines are just for LOCAL grants. Nationally,

they give money to a variety of charities such as United Ways, and

Red Cross (including extra money for disaster relief after 9/11),

and many others. The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) wrote to Target

about the incident and published the Target response on their web

site. Further, the VFW says that Target is indeed sponsoring

their " Wall That Heals " traveling memorial. They have also,

sponsored or contributed to a number of patriotic events in

Minneapolis where they are headquartered. Follow this link to see

some of the other charities they sponsor .

It might be me, but it seems like a small over-reaction by the

writer of this chain letter to imply it's time for a national

boycott because one its Veteran's organization in Indiana failed to

get a $100 from a local Target store for their cause.

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 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 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. 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.jhtm

l.

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,

Hanson

Group Team Leader

Guest Relations

[Guest guest]

You sure are right about this one, sadly! Thank you for posting first; I would

have

dreaded having to write that post as I am sure you did. That is, however, what

I

mean when I tell new members about our fearless leaders!

Love to you, ,

n Rojas

HOAX: Re: FW: [sCREC] Target Stores

This is a HOAX! This is why we ask that members to not send

forwards to the cfparent list. (It's not true, it takes up space on

the list, takes time to read and delete, etc.)

Check hoaxes out at

http://www.internet-101.com/hoax/

http://www.snopes.com/

or one of a heap of other hoax/urban legend/ myths sites.

It took me about ten seconds to find that the Target/Veteran thing

was a hoax - probably less time than it took to forward it to people

in an email address book.

~

Target and Veterans Organizations

---------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

First Published November, 2002

Updated December, 2002

There is a chain letter calling for a boycott of Target stores based

on their perception that Target is anti-veteran.

This conclusion was reached by the author of this chain letter based

on the rejection by Target for money to be used for a local Vietnam

Memorial Wall. This is not the same as the " The Wall That Heals "

which is a traveling version of the Vietnam memorial in Washington,

D.C. For the local project it seems no formal grant was applied for

by this organization initially, but that isn't the point. Companies,

including Walmart, Kmart, and others set guidelines for what

organizations they will give to at the local level. They have every

right to do this, or if they want they don't have to have to give

anything to local charities. They could just refer people to the

corporate headquarters for donations. There are countless

organizations who might apply for this money so guidelines make it

easier to decide how to allocate this money.

Most companies won't give money to any organization which does not

hold a 501©(3) status. This IRS code means all money donated to

this organization can be deducted from your federal taxes. Checking

with the IRS, I found that County Vietnam Veterans

Organization is not even coded. They are still showing in the IRS

database as the County Veterans Memorial Corporation and

listed as a public charity with 50% tax exempt status. This means

if Target gave money to them then they could only deduct 50% of it

from their taxes.

Further, under Target's guidelines local Blind, Multiple Sclerosis,

or Humane Society charities would not be granted monies. Does that

mean Target favors inhumane treatment to animals, or could care less

about blind kids? They have selected some very important and worthy

local charities (arts and family violence prevention) to support.

The company gives 2 million dollars a week to help these groups.

Instead of being grateful that a company was willing to give this

much money (more than a great many other companies) to these

important nonprofit charities, it is being attacked for all the

causes to whom it is not giving money.

Remember, these guidelines are just for LOCAL grants. Nationally,

they give money to a variety of charities such as United Ways, and

Red Cross (including extra money for disaster relief after 9/11),

and many others. The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) wrote to Target

about the incident and published the Target response on their web

site. Further, the VFW says that Target is indeed sponsoring

their " Wall That Heals " traveling memorial. They have also,

sponsored or contributed to a number of patriotic events in

Minneapolis where they are headquartered. Follow this link to see

some of the other charities they sponsor .

It might be me, but it seems like a small over-reaction by the

writer of this chain letter to imply it's time for a national

boycott because one its Veteran's organization in Indiana failed to

get a $100 from a local Target store for their cause.

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 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 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. 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.jhtm

l.

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,

Hanson

Group Team Leader

Guest Relations