Just got an email from Finck Cigar Company in San Antonio Texas, who runs a yearly event. The event raises money for charity, and they were informed this year that Wounded Warriors would not accept the donation due to them being a tobacco company.

I tweeted about it, and some other cigar shops chimed in that they too had their donations refused due to the tobacco company.

Ladies & Gentlemen, we have supported the military for years and many servicemen and women enjoy a fine cigar. For a donation to be refused because of the ties to Tobacco is sickening.
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That is crazy :-)
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What a crock of B.S.
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To assume that someone, or an orginization must accept a donation is telling of your own position. It is their right to operate as they see fit just as it is our right to donate to those we choose to do so. The virtue of our donations does not abide us a position or greatness that entitles us to assume we are more virtous.

If you believe in the mission of the charity, why not simply donate it anonymously? For your donation is not because of an interest to your own agenda, or is it?
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No, but it seems that donations that go to benefit the troops should be accepted regardless if from a Tobacco Co. I understand that they may not want to be portrayed as supporting tobacco usage but c'mon, not like they are accepting donations from the "People in support of clubbing baby seals!!"
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It's politics, guys. That's all it is, politics. Nothing you can do. :-)
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Kysid,

The purpose of the event has been to raise money for the charity. The event has been going on for a few years now. When they called up up Wounded Warriors to co-ordinate as they have done in the past, they were told that wounded warriors would not accept the donation.

To me that doesn't seem like an agenda on the part of the shop.
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Another example of "Evil Tobacco" corrupting something good.
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It angers me because they are turning down money needed to help injured troops. Not like it's a donation from Al Queda
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I also understand that this could be donated anonymously, but it is a company(s) that support a great charity and if they are able to say that they support said charity they would be more apt to get my business, just my .02
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Way to go DC :-) :-)
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I was being more metaphorical. What I'm saying is donate the money anyway. Just do it outside an official sponsorship, official recognition etc. Either it's about charity or it isn't.
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Where do I sign up for that club? :-) :-)
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If you go out and club a bunch of baby seals, they will notice and recruit you. It takes some effort, but it's worth it. :-)
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I wonder if they will have Room 101 take down the "we support the Wounded Warrior project" on their web page? Evil tobacco.....tasty, but evil.
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They should replace it with a banner that reads that Wounded Warrior refuses their donations and places politics above wounded service members' welfare. :-)
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Ridiculous. 'Nough said.
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Took me a bit. I'm a little slow. I understand kydsid's point now. if it's truly about charity, then an anonymous donation would be fine. if it is about marketing, then I understand why the company's would be bothered. "Behold, they have their reward."
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But that's the point Scott, money gets to the troops, the company can say they donate to so and so organization, I buy from that company because I like the fact they donate....win/win.
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I wrote them a damned (and damning) email telling them that I would take this up with the veterans' and fraternal organizations to which I belong. We'll see what happens; I don't expect much.
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