In times of "economic turmoil," companies need all the customers that they can get in order to stay afloat. That is why I was surprised to learn that our local Wal-Mart has decided to kick out just about all fundraisers besides girl-scout cookie sales. According to the News Register's Hannah Hoffman, who interviewed spokeswoman Deisha Galberth, Wal-Mart wants to keep its shopping area and parking lot clear of congestion. Wal-Mart was not available for comment on the situation with the Bruin, despite multiple attempts to contact them.

            This controversy started when the Yamhill County Action Partnership was not allowed to have their annual giving tree. Then the Lion's club, who has been selling tees in the Wal-Mart parking lot for 10 years, found that they were no longer welcome to fundraise at Wal-Mart- in fact they were not even allowed to hang a sign that said where they were moving to. Do not worry all you faithful donators; your traditional trees will be sold a t Chuck Colvin Auto Center this year. Wal-Mart is afraid of losing customers because of space constriction; however, in the long-run they'll end up losing a lot more for being stingy.

            Wal-Mart has had publicity lately about how they treat their workers badly and they're doing everything in their power, it seems, to make sure that they keep that media storm cloud from drifting away. As a person who is heavily involved in Relay for Life and now Doernbecher, both requiring fundraisers, I was personally upset when I learned the awful fact that I would have one less option to have my annual series of carwashes for Relay.

            Plus, has Wal-Mart seen their parking lot? They could fit their store three times over into that concrete slab of biblical proportions! What are they thinking? IF they allow fundraisers to continue at their location they will have customers streaming into the store. Take carwashes for example: because a lot of people travel on Highway 99W and pull into Wal-Mart to get their car washed. They don't just don't sit and watch volunteers scrub away. They go in and waste their money on items that they don't need. Thus, fundraising equals profit for businesses.

            I know that Wal-Mart doesn't have to give up space for a good cause, but they should. Not only doesn't it make sense logistically to have fundraisers at their store, it is the right thing to do. It didn't look good for Wal-Mart when Mike Colvin, co-owner of Chuck Colvin Auto Center, picked up the Lion's club to sell their trees. Mr. Colvin has a lot less space in his lot. Not only that, but he has to move cars. That's the key to running a good business- caring. And if you want to stay alive in rough times, that is what you have to do.

            So in the future, when you are driving down the highway, pass on by Wal-Mart until they repent and let the Lion's club come back. In this time of celebration, giving and caring, we need to inform Wal-Mart that there is no room in our community for their greediness. So citizens, flex your consumer power and lay down the law! Wal-Mart is obviously unaware that people love donating to a good cause. Let's show them that we hate bullies and we won't tolerate their greed.