U.S. Marine veteran was required to stand outside in 40 degree rainy weather Saturday to collect donations for Toys for Tots.

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 18:42:52 -0500

Walmart, in Medina, Ohio kicked out a Marine collecting money for Toys For Tots. It was raining and 40 degrees. If I lived in Medina, Ohio, I wouldn't shop in that Walmart ever again. They not only pay minimum wages, they won't allow anyone in the store collecting money, no matter what it's for. But, witnesses say they have seen the Marines in the store in the past years collecting money for Toys For Tots. I Included some of the remarks made about this story. What do you think Rally Point community?
And now the rest of this terrible story:
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MEDINA, Ohio – Outraged Twitter and Facebook users created a frenzy after a U.S. Marine veteran was required to stand outside a Medina Walmart store in rainy, 40-degree weather Saturday to collect donations for Toys for Tots.

MEDINA, Ohio – Outraged Twitter and Facebook users created a frenzy after a U.S. Marine veteran was required to stand outside a Medina Walmart store in rainy, 40-degree weather Saturday to collect donations for Toys for Tots.

A woman customer took a photo of John Harkness standing outside the store under an overhang. For at least 15 years previously, the Walmart store had allowed volunteers to stand inside the store, according to WJW.

However, Walmart's corporate headquarters released a statement saying its policy does not allow such solicitation inside any of its stores, and it said it was looking into the matter in Medina. The statement also said if the Marine was treated with disrespect, that would be unacceptable.

Word of the incident spread like wildfire on social media, with angry users re-tweeting the photograph of the Marine, along with words like "disgrace" and the hashtags "#boycott #Walmart."

"Shame on you Walmart!" one user tweeted.

See a Storify box of the comments below.
While comments on Twitter and Facebook seemed overwhelmingly critical of the Walmart decision to leave the Marine outside, commenters on cleveland.com were divided in their opinions. Here is what a few had to say:

Clevberg: Store policy is store policy. Many businesses don't even allow soliciting on their premises. The only issue I see is that particular Walmart either didn't know the policy or chose to bend the rules in prior years.

biggswede: No offense to this gentleman, but if the Cub Scouts are made to stand outside (which they are in all sorts of weather), a Marine should be able to handle it.

A Good Guy With A Gun: Think about it folks. You have a solicitor outside your store. It begins to rain and it's cold. Is it REALLY such a huge problem to tell the person it's OK to get in out of the rain and cold? Honestly, in a place like Walmart with a huge entrance, the solicitor standing off to one side inside the lobby near the entrance is a problem? Would even be nicer if Walmart offered the solicitor a hot chocolate too.

Badger937: Mr. Harkness wasn't complaining yet some busy body comes along and causes a stink. The company has a policy. Groups are told the rules and have to abide by them. I don't see many other stores even allowing someone to solicit outside their business. Two weeks ago I bought some candy from a group of Boy Scouts outside the Strongsville Walmart. I watched going in how most people ignored them. The young man asked me politely if it wanted to buy anything. Gave him a couple extra dollars. I remember what it was like when I did that as a teenager.

wildcuyahoga: A sad day. I'm sure the corporate Walmart policy's been there for some time, but probably the former Medina managers just chose to ignore it. Just because I would save a few pennies at Walmart doesn't mean I'll ever go there. I give my business to the small guys and Made-in-America where I can.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 30 at 2015 6:45 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 18:45:22 -0500

Reminds me of our Company BPOs working at Banks. "Here's a Gun, it wont keep you warm, it won't keep you dry, but stand outside of this Bank all day long and Look Intimidating (And don't you ever think about ever using it).

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 30 at 2015 6:52 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 18:52:06 -0500

I suspect that is Corporate rules. Some will allow you to raise money or whatever on Property but not inside. Some will let you inside. Some will not even allow you on Property.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 30 at 2015 6:54 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 18:54:31 -0500

He wasn't made to do anything. He chose to stand out there. He could have just come back later when the weather was nicer.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 30 at 2015 8:20 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 20:20:07 -0500

While unfortunate, I have not been in a Walmart yet where I have seen anyone raising funds indoors. Given that's their guidelines, the Marine should have been better prepared. I have participated in the Toys for Tots program for about 20 years. Standing in the freezing weather as well as enjoying the warmth of the indoors was part of what I signed on for. Not much different than serving in the Corps.

Response by SFC Eric Williams made Nov 30 at 2015 8:37 PM

SFC Eric Williams — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 20:37:42 -0500

He accomplished his mission....Cudos to him! Hard charger!

Response by SGT James Allen made Nov 30 at 2015 8:59 PM

SGT James Allen — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 20:59:58 -0500

The Marine was interviewed today on the radio and came to the defense of the Manager. He understands that it is Walmart Corporate Policy. I live in Brunswick, just north of the store. It is a new Manager. The other Managers just ignored the policy. So please don't jump to conclusions. P.S. That Walmart does suck though.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Nov 30 at 2015 9:29 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 21:29:57 -0500

Well Walmart supports a Chinese communist regime by buying their products so this does not surprise me.

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Nov 30 at 2015 10:29 PM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 22:29:11 -0500

Most American corporations are mostly about profit, they will use patriotism as a vehicle for profit (see NFL as an example) but don't really care, with exceptions.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 1:49 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 01:49:55 -0500

What I see is a well-disciplined Marine standing his post without regard to the weather to bring a small bit of Christmas joy to a kid that might have received nothing were it not for him.
Semper Fi.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 1 at 2015 3:43 AM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 03:43:32 -0500

The Salvation Army, Boy/Girl Scouts, Cubs, Brownies and other organizations are required to stand outside as well, regardless of the weather, and like this Marine, have done so, willingly, for a number of years... I don't think the Marine had an issue with it and FB are being their ridiculously, crazy, sheepishly, uneducated, little selves...

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Dec 1 at 2015 3:56 AM

Capt Jeff S. — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 03:56:41 -0500

This story went around Facebook. You can contact their Customer Service and voice your opinion to them. The Store Manager's name (who made the policy change) is Robin Wright.

Walmart Supercenter #1894
4141 Pearl Rd, Medina, OH 44256
Ph. [login to see]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ipt3safngygcwq5/Walmart%20Toys%20for%20Tots%20Medina%20OH.rtf?dl=0

Walmart Toys for Tots Medina OH.rtf

Shared with Dropbox

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 9:42 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 09:42:52 -0500

I agree with the basic sentiment here, but I can neither confirm, nor deny, that I've rung the bell in some pretty beastly weather myself. I'd bet a dollar against a nickel, this Marine wasn't the one who lodged the complaint.

As to policy, let's fact it...We've lost the ability to make objective decisions. We sue people over trifles, launch demeaning and slanderous campaigns on "social media", and obsess over "entertainment" where "reality stars" encounter degrading situations that we are gullible enough to believe.

If the manager of the store had used logic, and offered to let the Marine come in out of the cold, some minion whose sole obsession since rising from the check out line to Assistant Assistant to the Assistant Manager for Accountability would turn them in to corporate, and get a promotion.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Dec 1 at 2015 12:15 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 12:15:13 -0500

I hate it, but Walmart's policy has always been fund raisers are outside. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Salvation Army all are outside. heck a Marine is tougher than them. If you see one outside, buy him a cup of coffee, shake his hand and say Semper Fi.

Response by PO3 Anthony Williams made Dec 1 at 2015 4:34 PM

PO3 Anthony Williams — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:34:14 -0500

I just wonder out of all the people who were concerned for the marine , how many donated and who bought him the cup of coffee that every one feels shouldve been given to him.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 5:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:07:25 -0500

Yes it is fucked up that they did this but that's their right to refuse service or entry into their establishments I am not defending just stating facts.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Dec 1 at 2015 5:36 PM

SSG John Jensen — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:36:25 -0500

in Klamath Falls OR, a high school choir wanted to do X-mas carols in the Walmart, but the manager kicked them out, the Safeway done the street happily let them sing

Response by SPC Eric Tucker made Dec 1 at 2015 6:27 PM

SPC Eric Tucker — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 18:27:14 -0500

This is nothing new, my daughters Girl Scout troop isn't allowed inside to sell cookies. Company policy.

Response by PFC Greg Mason made Dec 1 at 2015 8:29 PM

PFC Greg Mason — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 20:29:45 -0500

they also do not want truckers there also

Response by SGT Scott Jensen made Dec 3 at 2015 10:16 AM

SGT Scott Jensen — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 10:16:32 -0500

Shame on anyone that say " it is store policy". How would that policy work if it were not for men like this. Your welcome Wal-mart for your freedom to make this stupid policy. Trust me any Soldier or Marine can handle the elements.

Response by PO1 Tyler Cauley made Dec 3 at 2015 11:28 AM

PO1 Tyler Cauley — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 11:28:58 -0500

This isnt a private orginization soliciting people for money. This is a defense orginization that take there own personal time to go out and help for the community. The Walmart did not have an obligation to allow this marine in its stores, however as a vetran i would stop giving my buisness to a coorperation that doesnt align itself with supporting our servicemembers that are only there to help out the community. It may not be against the law, but it is certainly shows the low character of that companies buisness model.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Dec 3 at 2015 2:13 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:13:22 -0500

at the two Wal-Mart's I go to, the bell ringers are always outside of Wal-Mart.

Response by SSG Bernard Fitzpatrick made Dec 3 at 2015 8:44 PM

SSG Bernard Fitzpatrick — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:44:27 -0500

True WalMart sticks to its rule! Their store, their choice! Now you can opt to shop at Target (French Owned) they do not allow any charitable organizations.

Response by Cpl Shane Cunningham made Dec 4 at 2015 12:38 AM

Cpl Shane Cunningham — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 00:38:20 -0500

I'd expect nothing less. Marines don't get heat! We thrive on the worst possible solution! Police that quivering jaw and get those damn toys!

Response by Cpl Jayson Neff made Dec 4 at 2015 10:34 AM

Cpl Jayson Neff — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 10:34:44 -0500

In Dress Blues to boot, Walmart has always been dirty in any regards no matter the situation. Bought out by the government and for the govt. An active duty Marine trying to do something for the poor for a good cause and was shut down by an employee to stand in cold ass rain. He may be a marine, but they still get sick haha.

Response by Steven Fink made Dec 5 at 2015 3:09 AM

Steven Fink — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 03:09:13 -0500

I work at a wal-mart in Wyoming and the goodwill people are allowed to just inside the doors in the area were people get there carts...