WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — Shoppers won't find a Salvation Army red kettle outside Mills Fleet Farm stores this year. The company has decided not to allow the charity's bell ringers to collect donations outside its stores.
Co-President Stewart Mills Jr. tells WAOW-TV (http://bit.ly/tDrMBD ) the company will make a donation to the Salvation Army and has supported the charity in past years, but allowing bell ringers could open the floodgates to others who want to use the company's property.
Company Vice President Stewart Mills III says Mills Fleet Farm's 31 stores are giving individual donations to local Salvation Army chapters. He calls it a "win-win."
Captain Brian Goodwill of the Wausau Salvation Army branch expects the decision to impact its bottom line since the Fleet Farm stores generated high donations last year. Some shoppers say they understand the move, and will still make an effort to give at other stores where bell ringers are collecting for the cause.
Mills Fleet Farm is based in Brainerd, Minn., and has stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa.
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Information from: WAOW-TV, http://www.waow.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
Comments (11)
Add commentcome on
this fear that others will intrude on your private property is bull! there are 2 things sacred at xmas time-salvation army and fleet farm-LET them RING!
Fleet Farm
Fleet has lost a lot of respect from me for this goofy decision. Sounds like they just took the "easy" way out. I will donate elsewhere and shop Ace. Actually Ace is much easier to find stuff in (and the employees actually can help you). Since the big remodel at Fleet no one knows where anything is.
You can thank the "Occupy"
You can thank the "Occupy" folks for this.
proof, wolf?
Seems like you can blame it on the Salvation Army being criticized for pressuring people at the Walgreen store...in a different location. They do have a lot of people out there ringing bells. Lots of charities would like to get in on that practice this time of year.
Lake - The things you mention
Lake - The things you mention in your post were also considered.
and yet, wolf
You feel someone out there is wanting to Occupy Fleet? Boy, that is a leap. They seem like a home town store chain to me. Are they even incorporated? Publically traded?
Lake is right
You can thank the "Occupy"
By wolfg1 | 11/29/11 - 12:19 pm
You can thank the "Occupy" folks for this.
Wolfg, surely you're being sarcastic? Mills is more local than most stores,
and certainly not on the Occupy hit list. Geez.
Personally, I write a fairly generous check (not spare change)directly to Salvation Army every year.
I did that last week. Yet I feel guilty when I pass the kettles, even though I gave already.
I generally dislike soliciting, although I know it works well for this group.
Its about time
Thank You fleet farm for stopping this horrible injustice. Once you let the Christmas bell ringers in, then you have to let the March of Dimes people in, then the Make a wish people in.....were does it stop. Next thing you know this big profitable company is helping everyone, not with their own money, but with money from their customers'.
Fleet Farm
Has a Facebook page? Well, I'll be.
I like the idea...
of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, but I respected Fleet Farm's decision. I have now chosen other charities to donate to because of the over-saturation of bell ringers in Minneapolis. They are in EVERY skyway connecting every building. It's a bit much. No harm done though. Fleet Farm was guilted into falling back on their stance.