John Harkness says he’s collected donations for Toys for Tots, a program from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that gives toys to underprivileged youth for Christmas, at that location for nearly 15 years, CBS reports.
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The Harknesses run the Toys for Tots program for their county. They said they asked to go inside, but the Walmart store manager said it’s against the company’s solicitation policy to allow them inside.
“Nobody complained and (we) didn’t have a problem with corporate so they allowed us inside”, Harkness said Monday.
Reaction to the post was swift and sometimes vile.
“The look in their eye when they come down and actually get something”, Lorey said. I think that’s totally out of line. “They have been collecting inside since this store opened but his sacrifice and continued volunteer work in the name of our Marines is rewarded this way?” “Finally, Walmart’s support of our men and women in uniform both during active service and when they return home is a privilege that we strive to honor each day through our commitment to hiring hundreds of thousands of Veterans as well as the many charitable Veteran organizations we are proud to support”. Why not? This is for the kids. “We have to be outside”, Harkness told ABC6.
“It’s fantastic”, said Sgt. Albert Roman, Capital Region Toys for Tots Coordinator.
The second annual local Convoy For Tots, hosted by the Capital Region Toys For Tots and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, paraded through Saratoga County Sunday morning, toting lots of holiday cheer.
Walmart released a statement stating that its corporate policy does not allow people to solicit donations inside its stores.
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“We’re glad to do our part”, San Diego Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said.
