Well, this rant became exceptionally long on Facebook, taking several spiraling comments to complete my thoughts, so I decided this might be a better forum for it 
Am I the only one who gets annoys at Borders yearly book drive that is supposedly charitable in content, but is deceptively self-serving? They encourage customers to buy kids books that they then donate to a literacy organization Borders has chosen.… As a teacher, I am ALL FOR THIS. However, as far as I can tell, Borders donates no proceeds to these organizations, nor offers a matching gift either.
In fact, one year I tried to bring in brand new books that I am able to purchase through my school for AWESOME prices and they refused to take them (not purchased at Border’s you know). I’m sorry, but Borders is making a significant profit on these sales and sure, it’s great that they’re willing to help these charities (and I applaud the … Read Moregenerosity of EVERYONE willing to purchase a book and donate it), but is it too much to ask for Borders to match the donations? Their employees have told me that “sometimes” they match donations, but EVERY time they have a drive, I call a local Borders and ask the same questions — do you do a matching donation, do you donate a percentage of proceeds… and every time, the answer is NO. The only thing Borders does is organize the drive and ship the books off to whatever charity they are currently sponsoring. Big of them. But I say, when you’re a corporation of the magnitidue of Borders, it’s NOT ENOUGH.
Don’t get me wrong. I think these book drives are a GREAT thing and they certainly help many wonderful charities and brighten children’s lives, BUT…why does Border’s expect its customers to donate more than it is willing to? Think about it! With this one purchase, you are giving your hard-earned money to Borders and a children’s book to a worthy… Read More organization. Wouldn’t it be better to just write a check directly to that organization? Why are we so gullible? Because, quite frankly, the American public has a capacity for generosity that is unparalleled the world over. Thank GOD our greedy corporations are not representative of our own individual natures. As for me, I think I’ll just continue to hand deliver my donations and to donate my time to worthy causes. And, of course, when I do choose to spend my $ within Border’s hallowed walls, rest assured that I will not be deluding myself. I will be quite content in the knowledge that I am participating in mainstream corporate America.