Shame on Walmart. When I read that Walmart stopped Robert Gibbs, a retired music professor from playing his trumpet outside their Potsdam store, I was upset. He was volunteering for the Salvation Army.

I think it is wonderful that an 81-year-old professional musician would donate his time and musical talent to entertain and inspire people for such a good cause. Instead of turning this man away, Walmart should be thanking him for an opportunity to give their customers a beautiful holiday experience. Isn’t this the time of year for generosity and goodwill?

It appears that Walmart wants to capitalize on selling gifts at this time of year, but stifles the very “Christmas spirit” that causes people to want to reach out and share with others less fortunate. It would have been so easy for Walmart to allow Mr. Gibbs this simple holiday gesture.

In Northern New York it seems that Walmart is showing their true colors. Unfortunately in this instance, the green is more Grinch than holly. Shame on Walmart.

Barbara Coughlin

Watertown

Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.

You can continue on to this article in a few seconds, or you can visit one of our websites:

• Watertown Daily Times
• The Ogdensburg Journal
• Daily Courier-Observer