Subway has apologized, saying
We at SUBWAY restaurants place a high value on education, regardless of the setting, and have initiated a number of programs and promotions aimed at educating our youth in the areas of health and fitness.
We sincerely apologize to anyone who feels excluded by our current essay contest. Our intention was to provide an opportunity for traditional schools, many of which we know have trouble affording athletic equipment, to win equipment. Parents who home school their children make a tremendous commitment which we greatly respect, and can provide a terrific education. Our intent was certainly not to exclude home schooled children from the opportunity to win prizes and benefit from better access to fitness equipment.
To address the inadvertent limitation of our current contest and provide an opportunity for even more kids to improve their fitness, we will soon create an additional contest in which home schooled students will be encouraged to participate. When the kids win, everyone wins!
Unfortunately, that’s not good enough for some. (Usually I link to the original story instead of a reposting, but I had an email claiming that the boycott originated with this post. ) This attitude is the perfect example of the “can’t win” situation. You complained, they responded, and you’re miffed because “that’s not good enough”.
Well suck it up and press on kid. Fortunately, you’re in the minority with that attitude. Generally speaking, the posts I’ve seen have been appreciative and positive about Subway’s response.
Subwaygate. They’re calling it Subwaygate now. Subway is having a contest and the grand prize winner gets ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL ($5000 VALUE) (caps and emphasis mine). They are not giving away CASH, they are giving EQUIPMENT of a specified dollar amount. And some (drama-loving, imho) parents have taken offense, shrieking discrimination because the contest specifically says “No home schools will be accepted.”
This is not discrimination, people. This is a corporation setting the rules for a giveaway. They don’t *have* to give anything - corporations reinvest funds back into the business all the time. Corporations make private donations all the time.
My children are homeschooled and I do not want $5000 worth of equipment, thankyouverymuch. We already have a corner full of toys that go untouched, why would I want to add to that? And honestly, I want to know what YOU are going to do with $5000 worth of equipment. (Unless you’re the Duggar family. Then? Totally understandable.)
Here’s an idea: instead of slamming Subway for a perceived slight why not email them and ask for a homeschool *specific* contest? Perhaps with a prize more geared to a homeschool family, such as a package of zoo/museum passes, amusement park passes (nothing like going to Disney when all the drones are in school, baby), books and manipulatives.
While you’re stewing over that idea, I want you to take a deep breath. Step away from The Drama. It’s doing nothing but raising your blood pressure and generally making you unpleasant to be around. Remember:
Offense is taken. Please practice portion control.
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Thanks everso!
