A national restaurant chain’s support of a nonprofit labeled by some as a hate group has sparked a petition aimed at having the Paulding County School System cease its ties to the chain.
A petition on change.org calls for the school district to stop using Chick-fil-A as a fundraising partner. It was started by a user named Reagan Stewart, identified as a resident of Douglasville.
“It deeply saddens me to see that the school my daughter attends is still selling their product each and every Thursday morning,” Stewart writes in the petition. “I'm well aware of the views that the president of Chick-fil-A Dan Cathy has towards the [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community. I have no issue with that. This is a free country and his opinions are free for him to express.
“My issue is that [Cathy’s] company is actively donating millions of dollars to certified hate groups like The Family Research Council (FRC) that are actively seeking to promote discrimination towards and lobbying for legislation against the LGBT community. … Although the school is not actually donating money to known hate groups. The school is helping to do just that.”
“Chick-fil-A’s giving heritage is focused on programs that educate youth, strengthen families and enrich marriages, and support communities. … Our intent is not to support political or social agendas,” the restaurant chain said in a statement in September. “As we have stated, the Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect—regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender.”
Chick-fil-A has given to the Family Research Council in the past, the Huffington Post reports.
According to its website, the Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council advances “faith, family and freedom in public policy and the culture from a Christian worldview.” It is a nonprofit “whose vision is a culture in which human life is valued, families flourish and religious liberty thrives,” it adds.
The Southern Poverty Law Center in 2010 labeled the Family Research Council as a hate group, writing that the organization had been a “a font of anti-gay propaganda throughout its history.” One example, the SPLC wrote, was that two of the FRC’s senior research fellows pushed false accusations linking gay men to pedophilia.
“I'm asking for the immediate removal of all connections to this company until the company can remove the donations to these know [sic] certified hate groups,” Stewart wrote. “I have no issue with the opinion's [sic] of these people I just have very strong feeling of our school system indirectly financially supporting them.”
Stewart’s online petition as of early Friday had 188 supporters, but not all signatures have been from Paulding. Some of those who have signed onto the digital document have identified themselves as being from Rome, Marietta, Sandy Springs and Atlanta.
Should the Paulding County School System sever its ties to Chick-fil-A? Tell us in the comments.
Paulding Schools Associate Superintendent Brian Otott said he had received an email from Stewart containing the petition. He said Chick-fil-A is utilized by many schools and school clubs across the district.
“Probably the majority of our schools in one way or another, fundraise through Chick-fil-A. A lot of them do morning biscuit sales once a week,” Otott said, adding that in some instances, the school may put on the sale and put the proceeds toward student achievement efforts, while in other instances, school clubs hold the sales for their fundraising purposes.
“Fundraisers are approved by the [school] board. They have to have a specific purpose tied into either supporting students, clubs or the school,” Otott added. “We do not basically support any social or political agendas through our fundraising, and as I said in [an email response to Stewart], we completely understand those who may not participate in a fundraiser because of that.”
Otott said that before a fundraising request is approved it is sent to the district’s coordinator of local school administration for review. If approved, fundraisers are then submitted to the board of education as a point of information for its review.
“Generally, a fundraiser is a local school decision. We don’t dictate who they can and cannot work with for fundraisers,” Otott said. “It comes for approval, yes, but there are many different groups—we don’t micromanage their fundraiser process. We expect them to make choices that are in the best interest of the school and we don’t say, ‘This is a list of people you can use, and this is a list of people you can’t use.’ We’re not going to do that.”
On Aug. 1 of this year, supporters of the national chain flocked into restaurant locations across the country in observance of “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” a campaign spearheaded by, among others, former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. Nearly 675,000 people reported going to a restaurant on the campaign’s Facebook page. Paulding residents were likely among them, as YouTube user LeesRebelDad uploaded video shot that day inside the restaurant’s Hiram location; the video showed dozens of customers waiting to order or sitting at tables eating (the video is attached to this article).
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Rob Wnek
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
Chic Fil A has 100% of my support. Stand strong Paulding!
Debbie Carroll Hill
4:37 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I am in agreement with you Rob! 100% support here!
Jan Desaulniers
11:38 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012
I am in total agreement with you. Just because Chick-Fil-A and I do not support gay marriage does not equate to us hating anyone. We simply have different beliefs and they are not forcing those beliefs on any child in the school. Unfortunately, people who are gay and believe in gay marriage are filled with hate for those who do not carry their beliefs. Sad that this person would try to get rid of a wonderful business that provides a lot of support for the school districts.
Christy Morehouse
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
As often happens, the petitioner did not give an alternative to the very popular Chicken Biscuit with the students or another fundraiser that could equal the funds raised by the fundraiser. Everyone has the right not to participate, so exercise that right instead of speaking for the majority. A lot of people stand strong for Chick fil A's Christian based business, great food, and the clean and uncommonly courteous atmosphere when dealing with their restaurants.
Lynn Hubbard
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I think the public school system has much bigger things to worry about than a chicken sandwich.
Donna Pellegrino
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I have 4 kids in three schools in North Paulding area. I think that the Chik Fil A sales is a great way to support our schools. Did the people who signed the petition look into all the other fundraising companies the schools utilize to see who those companies donate to? Schools are actively seeking ways to raise funds to help support our school district, kids and school programs. If a parent decides they don't want to support the Chik Fil A fundraising efforts because they don't support Chik Fil A's beliefs, then choose to not purchase a biscuit. Don't penalize an entire district with a fund raiser that works.
E. Citizen
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
Why is it that the views of a few people are highlighted and taken as gospel, when the majority of Paulding people are trying to do the right thing in raising their children by providing funds to keep our school standards high unlike most schools in the metro Atlanta area. We the people of Paulding embrace what Chick-fil-A has done in the past and is doing to provide financial aid for it's employees and residents of this county.
Jeff Claeson
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
Lets all pitch in and buy Reagan Stewart a crying towel. After that lets all meet at chik-fil-a for a meal and show our support.
RanAir 43
11:39 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Sounds great. Let's invite Reagan.
Ben Clark
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
Can we start a petition to Have Reagan Stewart removed from Paulding County? Chick-Fil-A is a Family oriented organization that does a lot of Charitable work in our Community and If Mr. Stewart has issue with them he can simply not buy any of their product.Its called the Free Market and that is how Americans should handle this, not with some whinny petition. My Daughter also goes to School in Paulding County and Loves having the choice of a Chick-Fil-A biscuit on Thursdays. So Mr. Stewart can take his Judgmental and obviously hate filled petition and take it to Douglas Or Fulton County where someone might care. Just Say'n
Susan Holcomb
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Stewart doesn't even live in Paulding County!!! Why is her daughter in Paulding, when Ms. Stewart lives in Douglasville? Good grief, let's pray for this poor misguided soul. We all have so much more important things to be concerned about!!! Chick-Fil-A will ALWAYS have my full support!!!
Gracie Ryan
5:44 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Exactly, this Reagan Stewart is obviously upset over the fact that this is a company with moral values, but is afraid to come out and admit that that is the reason he is up in arms.
Bailey Cash
9:10 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Douglasville covers South Paulding as well.
In spite of..
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
Yes, do it!
RB
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
Chick-fil-a does a great service for our Paulding County Schools. I am frustrated that there are people that continue to try and shut down efforts that help our schools and our kids. The school system should continue to allow fundraising efforts through Chick-fil-A. I think our kids deserve that. There are things I disagree with in our county sometimes but I don't go after having them removed or revoked. That is the beauty of our freedom of rights. Just because a few individuals don't like Chick-fil-A they should not be allowed to tell the county as a whole and cause negative impact on the entire efforts and what this company provides to help our students.
Mindy McGee
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Amen!
Chick-fil-A supporter
9:41 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
NO! Please don't sever the ties with Chick-fil-A! All that matters is that this is a fundraiser and the school receives money from it. Plus, many students and staff look forward to this chance to get their food right at school. If the petitioner and supporters don't want to purchase Chick-fil-A, fine; no one is forcing them. No sense in making everyone have to pay the price because of how they feel.
Jane Turnipseed
9:56 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I don't believe Paulding or any school system should sever fund raising ties with Chick Fil-A, or any company over their corporate donation policies. If a person has an issue with the fundraiser, they have the option of not participating in the fundraiser. Grow up America!!
Karen Proctor
9:56 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I don't have a child in the Paulding School System anymore, but companies like Chick Fil A help offset the cost of running programs with their fund raisers. If this man doesn't approve of Chick Fil A, he should simply not allow his daughter to purchase an item from them. A lot of things happen around me everyday that I may not approve of. Sometimes you just have to turn the other cheek and live and let live. Why does he think his views are more important than anyone else's? I for one am PROUD of Chick Fil A and their stand as a Christian company, and also of their support of schools and youth organizations.. Let his daughter eat at home that morning!
Peggy Hall
11:58 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I think it's terrible that we let one thing and one group run our business. I'm not anti-gay, but I can think of hundreds of ways that Chick Fil A has helped ALL people, including gay people. They don't ask if you are gay or straight when they hire you, or help you go to college. I will ALWAYS support Chick Fil A because of the good they do.
Keith
11:58 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
There is a lot of misinformation and extreme exagerration about Chick-fil-A supporting what some refer to as "hate groups". CFA only donated $1000 to Family Research Council, not the millions that some have stated. In recent years, CFA has donated over $68 million to all charitable causes. The donation to FRC represents only 0.0014705% of CFA's donations. Chick-fil-A does a lot of good for schools and communities. I fully support CFA!!!
Mindy McGee
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I can see you've done your research, I doubt Mrs. Stewart has done any. She's probably just going off what she has heard. I agree 100% with what you have said
Linda
11:58 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I would just like to say that I wish I had the time on my hands to worry about Chick-Fil-A selling biscuits at my child's school...AND I would like to think that our school system does not that kind of time either. I'll pitch in Jeff for the "crying towel" and you said it well Rob "STAND STRONG PAULDING COUNTY!"
Bobby Payne
11:58 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
The group change.org is the real "hate group". Do not turn away from a company that has values that are good for Paulding County.
Christie
11:58 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I think Chick Fila A biscuit sales probably just doubled or tripled... Just curious if Stewart does this much research on every place you shop (dept stores,other food chains etc...) if you dont agree with CFA then dont eat there..
Melanie
3:12 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Exactly my thoughts Christie! I hope Paulding County does not cave in. Chick fil a is a wonderful company!
Lauren Nicole Parks
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
The last time I checked, no one FORCED us to buy Chick Fil A when they were selling the biscuits every Thursday. If you bought a biscuit, it was because you wanted one, and you didn't really think twice before you took a bite that "Oh, they support hate groups" or any bull like that. If they don't want to support Chick Fil A in the schools, THEN DON'T BUY ANY OF THE FOOD THERE! It's really not that hard people. But keep in mind, selling Chick Fil A on Thursday mornings gives your child's school some money so that they don't have to have fundraisers every other week. Golly, and I didn't think people could get any more dumb.
Candi Goldman
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/124/923/790/keep-chick-fil-a-fundraising-events-in-paulding-schools/?cid=FB_TAF_CIT
Heather
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
So, is she willing to give all the Paulding County Schools that benefit from the fundraising, the money they would lose if ties were severed?
Sharon Hugh 'reed' Kleiman
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I have one child in the Paulding Co school and another to start next year and support Chick-fil-a 110%,..Regean Stewart is only one voice, I think there are more of us that support it staying in the CFA fundraising efforts...maybe we should start an opposing petition...Keep up the EXCELLENT work CFA!!!
Deborah Hammitt
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I signed the petition at change.org. Schools should NOT support haters and those who donate money to hate groups. Everyone does have a right to their own opinion but for a school to support haters sends a bad message to the kids. It says it is okay to try to hate the LGBT community. People are people we should support love not hate...
Melanie
3:26 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Chick fil a is Not a "hater" group.
Ben Clark
3:48 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
and exactly how many children do you have in Paulding County Schools? Do the research.
There is a lot of misinformation and extreme exagerration about Chick-fil-A supporting what some refer to as "hate groups". CFA only donated $1000 to Family Research Council, not the millions that some have stated. In recent years, CFA has donated over $68 million to all charitable causes. The donation to FRC represents only 0.0014705% of CFA's donations. Chick-fil-A does a lot of good for schools and communities. I fully support CFA!!!
Juanita
7:38 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I would like to ask this Stewart Man and Deborah Hammitt. Have you checked your heart Chick Fil A is NOT the HATE group it is people like you. I Also must ask where is the Companies that support Gays RIGHTS and that MURDER UNBORN BABIES. All their MONEY goes to this JUNK and doesn't SUPPORT SCHOOLS. Old Navy , J C Penny's, AT&T , Mac Donalds I could go on an on, but POINT is Regan Stewart & Deborah Hammitt you are EXPRESS HATE in your own home. I feel sorry for the STEWART CHILD this will get around in HER school. Have you thought of the HATE that you are EXPRESSING in her little LIFE ??? So if she feels the HATE at SCHOOL you can't BLAME Chick Fil A you can BLAME yourself. As A CHRISTIAN I AM SO SICK OF THE ATTACKS on CHRISTIANS and MY RIGHTS. SO I DON'T PLAN on SETTING back and taking it any more. I am ashamed this came from MY HOMETOWN where I WOULD HOPE WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS KIND OF HATE and Stupid way of thinking. Hey another question ARE you going to MATCH what Chick Fil A does ???? Just wondering
Jan Desaulniers
11:38 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012
Chick-Fil-A is not a hate group and people who do not support gay marriage do not hate gay people. It is people like yourself that have hate in their hearts. You have misunderstood my right to a belief as hate. You on the other hand hate me just because I don't have the same belief as you? Really? Chick-Fil-a has helped so many people in the United States and are a great organization and school supporter. What have you done for your community?
George Keckler
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Tell you what, you folks that sign the petition, you pay the money Chick Filet pays the school and we will call it even – idiot’s! This politically correct stuff does not bring us closer, it pulls us further apart by having to show the world that some of us are different and thus special.
Kenny Pruitt
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
It can be pretty simple.. if you don't want Chic fil a in Paulding Co. Schools, MOVE!!! We love Chick fil a in PC!! Go back from where you came from!
Michael Frisbee
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Here is a petition seeking to KEPP Chik-Fil-A as a fundraiser. If you support Chik-Fil-A - please sign THIS petition
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/124/923/790/keep-chick-fil-a-fundraising-events-in-paulding-schools/
Melanie
3:12 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Yeah! - I was just about to ask about starting a petition to KEEP Chickfila! Just signed it. I can not get it to connect to facebook but I will keep trying......
Mindy McGee
3:26 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I signed it :)
Ben Clark
4:37 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I Signed it and encouraged others to do the same.
Ron crist
12:10 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Ron Crist
In no way am I a hater. Yes I will sign it also.
Mona
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
According to Ms. Stewart, she has no issues with Dan Cathy's views towards the LGBT community and and has nothing to do with her reasons for the petition, yet a quick look at her "causes" tells quite a different story.
https://www.change.org/users/12361896
Susan w Mounts
7:32 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
okay....I get it now..........Good Grief...........Really? Please tell me that no one is takiing this person seriously.....thanks for the heads up Mona
Emery Cobb
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Why doesn't Mrs. Stewart make a list of every single penny she spends for everyone to consider? It seems to me the people that criticize the most also have the most to hide, and when confronted with that fact will tuck tail and run like the scalded dog they truly are. By the way Mrs, Stewart, try telling your kids they can't have that chicken biscuit they were getting until you started running your mouth for no reason. I'll guarantee they will get it without you knowing it as frequently as possible.
Kerstin
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I absolutely agree--it is of great intelligence that one would try to end something that supplies funding to suffering schools (insert sarcasm here). Good grief, what an idiot. You don't end funding! Almost EVERY single chain shopping place has some agenda somebody doesn't like. Can't we just 'like' that they give to schools? Why must it always be a political or social agenda??? I'd just bet that if CFA was giving that individual a portion of its sales every month he/she wouldn't argue with it one bit! STAY STRONG CFA!!!!!!!! We love and support you every single chance we can!
Cheryl
3:44 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I totally agree w ur points. What about when Wal-Mart was giving jobs over seas, or Target won't let the Salvation Army stand out in front of their stores. They both give money 2 our school systems & we may not agree w their views. We need all the money we can get.
Kim Stacy
2:50 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Ridiculous!! The Huffington Post is not even a credible publication...... Some people seem to have too much time on their hands. Chick-fil-A is a good Christian company and I stand behind them 100%. And since when is Douglasville in Paulding County anyway??
Sassy Crews
3:26 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Kim...some parts of Douglasville are in Paulding County. The Ridge Road area around Kroger is Douglasville and is located in Paulding Co.
leigh anne
3:43 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
this woman is an idiot. bottom line. if she doesn't want the chicken biscuit. don't buy it.
Charles Walthour
5:52 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
It's not about chicken...it's about moral, ethics and principles. Stand strong Paulding!
Cindy Crawford
6:53 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I fully support Chick -fil-a as a fund raiser here in Paulding Co. . If Mrs Stewart is unhappy with this she need not participate. Don't allow one person who is easily offended mess things up for the majority. Sometimes people have been calling groups in support of traditional marriage a hate group. This is a false ajenda using hate of traditional marriage as a focus. Now that is a hate group and ajenda. People need to realize who the haters really are, if you support traditional marriage is not hate!!!!! However to falsely accuse is hate!!!!
Susan w Mounts
6:54 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Ms Stewart needs to eat more Chicken. ...all she is spewing is BALONEY. ...check your facts chik. ...and what have you done for the good of Paulding or the fine folks that peacefully live here? They are not haters BUT you, on the other hand, are trying to provide fuel. Keep the chik fil a. OORAH
Andrea McGill
9:10 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I no longer live in Paulding but I went to school in Paulding and graduated from EPHS. I completely agree with what CFA stands for and I support them 100%. They have always supported our school system and they need to continue to do so!! Ms. Stewart either needs to choose not to support that particular fundraiser or put her daughter in a school in Douglas County where she lives!! But, I've got news for her...CFA is a big part of fundraising in Douglas also!!! She is out of luck either way, so she needs to take her petition and throw it in the trash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bailey Cash
9:10 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I enjoy going to school on Fridays and picking up a biscuit... This better not stop simply due to morals of a company. It's sad.
Melanie
11:48 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
And it should not stop due to LACK of morals by the one person that started the petition.
Tina Dendy
1:17 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
This is the most ignorant topic of discussion our schools should have to worry about!!! If Ms Stewart doesn't feel like funding CFA due to their beliefs then don't,but to try and turn the entire county against then serving to the school....pure stupidity!!! It's a warm chicken biscuit,better than a pop-tart...Some kids out there don't get breakfast at home and I'm sure their parents aprreciate the fact that they have this option!!! Of all going on in our Country.....Just sayin....And that's my freedom to speak....Get a life lady!!!!
Leland Goins
1:48 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Ok take a look at her picture on her web site. She has too much time on her hands.
Debi Dugger
9:31 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Believing what the Bible says and standing up for those beliefs does not make one a hater. The Chick-Fil-A family has as much right to stand up for their beliefs as the liberal community has...maybe even more because being morally upright has been the accepted norm in this country much longer than being gay has been accepted! Why does the minority haveore rights than the majority?
K
9:31 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
I am in support for all people. However I am not in support for taking CFA out of the county school system. Yes Chick fil A has morals and they have always stood for those morals and values. They are still closed on Sunday. But you have a choice to either buy a chiken biscuit and support the fundraiser or not. Do not ask for one political agenda to take away a great program for the greater good of the county and these school kids functions this provides. There will always be one aspect that you may not like and you can choose not to support that company, but do not ask the majority to go without just becuase you don't agree. I am sick of the minority always trying to push their agenda on the majority. THe majority needs to take back our morals and values and quit being pushed around. Yes, I think everyone is equal but not when it comes to a political group pushing thier agenda on America where we were founded on biblical morals and values and the majority of this country is still biblical and has a high moral and values but will respect those who do not have bibilical morals and principals and treat you with respect, until you try crap like this.
Debi Dugger
9:31 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Why is it that all the businesses that support gay causes, support a woman's supposed right to kill her unborn child and other liberal agendas don't get hammered and a business who stands up for good and moral values gets torn apart?
Cindy Bell
5:59 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
AMEN!! Debi!
Cindy Bell
5:59 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
That is stupidest thing I ever heard of...get a life Reagan....
susan cromer
9:46 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Chik-Fil-A does a lot of good things for all school systems. Also in communities. Sounds like Reagan has a lot of problems herself. all we can do is pray for her and
keep eating chik_fil_a
Susan
1:17 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Like others I agree that if you don't like it then do not buy the Chick Filet Biscuit! I guess this person wants us to support her beliefs even if she doesn't support ours. Really? 2 Way Street people!
Mojo413
11:38 am on Saturday, December 8, 2012
If a parent does not want to support Chick-Fil-A seems like a simple solution for them is to not give their child any money to buy a biscuit on Thursday morning.
My advice to the parent is get over it.