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Others rush in to fill Walmart charity void

Business | Wed, 11/18/2009 - 2:06 pm | Read 2787 | Commented 15 | Emailed 2
Tags: McMinnville

The giving tree at Sears is decorated with ornaments containing Christmas wish lists of local children. This one is for a 10-year-old girl seeking a pair of shoes.

Marcus Larson / News-Register

Local businesses, agencies and community organizations have volunteered to host Yamhill Community Action Partnership trees of giving in record numbers after corporate policy forced the McMinnville Walmart to turn YCAP away after an eight-year affiliation.

In response to a News-Register story on the Walmart decision, YCAP received more host offers than ever before, said spokeswoman Amy Burton.

The McMinnville Police Department was the first to volunteer. The department was planning to erect a Christmas tree in its spacious new lobby anyway, and told YCAP the group could put gift tags on its branches and turn it into a tree of giving for needy residents of the community, Burton said.

Next came similar offers from Hometown Dental, Walgreens, the public library and Sears. The library tree will be on the second floor, she said.

The McMinnville and Newberg Bi-Marts said they didn't have room for trees, but offered to put barrels out for donated gifts. They wanted to be involved any way they could, she said.

Burton said the Christmas Crazy Bazaar, slated to run Nov. 27-29 on the Yamhill County Fairgrounds, will also host a tree.

Linfield College's Theta Chi chapter was also moved by YCAP's dilemma. The fraternity offered to dedicate to YCAP the proceeds from its entire 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser, set to run Nov. 30 through Dec. 11.

"I was blown away that they were going to sponsor YCAP for all 12 days," Burton said. This is the first time Theta Chi has given all its 12 Days proceeds to a single charity, she said.

In addition, YCAP has a tree of giving at its office at 800 N.E. Second St. The official deadline for gifts is 5 p.m. Dec. 18, though Burton said no gift would be turned down.

A wrapping party will be held the weekend before Christmas. Anyone who would like to participate in the wrapping event, host a giving tree or adopt a family for the holidays is asked to contact Burton at 503-472-0457, ext. 149.

Print | Email Updated 40 weeks 6 days ago

Comments (15)

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Sun, 11/22/2009 - 9:39am - Posted by: oregonatve72

"Some of you need to just let it go about Walmart.....you shop there don't you?"

- Nope, haven't been there in years.

"Or is this an opportunity to grab some potential publicity and Walmart business? Should I only shop at stores that openly support local charity and assume those that don't have a tree don't care? Should ongoing support of a local charity be a criteria for where I take my daily business?"

-Way to make a nice gesture into something its not. Seeing a need and doing a genuinely nice thing, for people less fortunate. Don't think Mr. Colvin sells Tide, and pretty sure Wal-Mart does not sell cars. Only you can decide where to spend your money and how. If your only criteria is low prices, enjoy Wal-Mart and all its splendid glory. There is also a fair amount of stolen property for sale on Craig's list and Ebay, you may want to include this in your shopping decision algorhythm as well, as those products tend to be very inexpensive.

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 8:24pm - Posted by: fairtrade

And all of the finger pointing starts....."Down with Walmart", silly actually. Their company policy is that....policy.
How many others over the years have helped or allowed giving trees in the middle of the aisle? How many are now jumping on the bandwagon to pull customers in their direction? How many of those that say "Down with Walmart", will actually follow through? There are lots of Christmas tree lots to choose from. Myself I always go to the American Legion, reasonable price for nice trees. Not a hard choice to make really. Some of you need to just let it go about Walmart.....you shop there don't you?
Just let it go, and bring cheer to homeless or something, instead of hanging on some forum and putting people down
Merry Christmas no matter what.

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 7:13pm - Posted by: Fleadog

Did any of these businesses have a giving tree for YCAP in the past? Or is this an opportunity to grab some potential publicity and Walmart business? Should I only shop at stores that openly support local charity and assume those that don't have a tree don't care? Should ongoing support of a local charity be a criteria for where I take my daily business? Nobody shops at Walmart because of the great atmoshere and outstanding dedication to the community, they shop there because of the low prices.
Aaron Van Beurden
Sheridan

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 3:14pm - Posted by: oregonatve72

Retired-
While I think Wal-Mart could care less about why they did what they did, if there was an actual liability potential, they would have mentioned it, rather then giving some ridiculous statement. There is far more liability inside their stores from Grandma slipping on water in their aisles then from someone getting hurt while picking up a tree from a charity. If you actually think Wal-Mart stopped allowing worthwhile charities on their property for liability reasons, you are sadly mistaken. Wal-Mart is pretty much always in court, not because of injuries on their property, but by trying to bully their employees, being racist, sexist, refusing to pay overtime, etc, etc. If they were scared of court, they would have stopped being sleazy employers, not kicking out the Lions Club. Get a clue.

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:53pm - Posted by: Retired

"Actually the USPS stopped delivering mail in that situation because "Santa" was a convicted pedophile in one case. I have absolutely no idea how you are comparing protecting children from pedophiles to Wal-Marts (poor) decision to refuse charitable entities to garner donations during the Christmas season on their property..."

Oregonative72, you are making my point. It took "one" pedophile to stop a program which existed for years and made millions of children happy. This was a protective response by the USPS. It only takes one person to ruin a program. I am just saying I do not blame any business for protecting themselves from potential liability. I'm sure Walmart would be sued if a person was injured on their parking lot, no matter how insignificant or the actual reason for the injury. Whether they mentioned this as a reason or not, I would bet it played a factor in their decision.

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 2:28pm - Posted by: carlrye

Of course in the case of the Lions Club it has nothing to do with Wal Mart thinking it could sell more Chrstmas trees. (sarcasm was intended)

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 1:37pm - Posted by: oregonatve72

"Fri, 11/20/2009 - 10:13am - Posted by:
RetiredI don't blame Walmart. So many people are ready to sue at the drop of a hat. The U.S. Postal Service just made a similar decision concerning children mailing letters to Santa at the North Pole. This will no longer be permitted because of their concerns over privacy and potential harm to children. Don't blame the businesses, blame those who want to sue and attorneys who live off of these practices.
retiredbs"

Actually the USPS stopped delivering mail in that situation because "Santa" was a convicted pedophile in one case. I have absolutely no idea how you are comparing protecting children from pedophiles to Wal-Marts (poor) decision to refuse charitable entities to garner donations during the Christmas season on their property. I also have no idea how anyone could be sued in this endeavor either, and indeed, Wal-Mart did not cite this as a reason for refusing charitable organizations from their property. They cited lack of space, and the desire to streamline the shopping experience that they say, customers asked for. Both are probable lies. May I suggest no one is blaming Wal-Mart of anything, only stating the obvious. That Wal-Mart is a terrible community partner.

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 1:09pm - Posted by: betz

The Post Office is looking out for the safety of the children because of all the wack-o child molesters out there posing as santa to get names and addresses of children, it has nothing to do with walmart being selfish. i would like to thank all the businesses that is helping out YCAP. My family will not be doing any Christmas shopping at walmart, i hope there parking lot is empty on black friday!!!!!!!!!

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 11:13am - Posted by: Retired

I don't blame Walmart. So many people are ready to sue at the drop of a hat. The U.S. Postal Service just made a similar decision concerning children mailing letters to Santa at the North Pole. This will no longer be permitted because of their concerns over privacy and potential harm to children. Don't blame the businesses, blame those who want to sue and attorneys who live off of these practices.
retiredbs

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 7:34am - Posted by: oregonatve72

Carlrye-
When a business like Wal-Mart exists only to generate profits at any cost, they can not be bothered by morality. They will not respond. How would they defend this latest gaff in PR politics, oh that's right, trying to "streamline" the shopping experience. I think if they hired more checkers they could do the same thing, only that costs money, ableit not much in Wal-Mart wages, but kicking charity out of parking lots costs nothing at all.

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 6:39pm - Posted by: carlrye

A quick note. I did email wal-mart and did it twice. Never heard a word back. Shows they do not care.

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 2:23pm - Posted by: macgreg

This is great,this is were our family will go,good bye Wal-Mart

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 1:36pm - Posted by: wildcat11

Great work Theta Chi!

Wed, 11/18/2009 - 10:36pm - Posted by: buffmill

Thank you to the news writer for mentioning the names of the businesses and groups who want to support our community. I will make note and take my business to those places.