Shouldn't it said Cedar Fair donated them on behalf of Kings Island? Why did Cedar Point get the credit, they weren't there jackets.

Once the sale of the parks was complete, items such as these jackets were now the property of CF, just like soda cups, napkins, ketchup packets etc.

Cedar Point received the *credit* of giving the coats to the less fortunate because it was their decision. I'm just glad that CF decided to do something worthwhile with the coats.

And yet, I just keep thinking over and over about a line quoted in that article:

"It's an old adage, but charity begins at home," said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point.

I guess there should be no mistake made about where home is....

Was there ever a mistake where CF's home is.

But ya know, I am very pleased that they seem to be treating all the Former Taft Parks (Notice I did not say the Ugly P Word) like family and not like red headed step children. (Disclaimer: I have Auburn Hair and have a step mother and step father - so I can say that. <G>)

And yet, I just keep thinking over and over about a line quoted in that article:

"It's an old adage, but charity begins at home," said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point.

I guess there should be no mistake made about where home is....

Perhaps CF was just going by plain numbers:

http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/unemp/200701/...ressRelease.asp

Considering that Sandusky's unemployment rate has averaged 6.03 and Hamilton/ Cincinnati area has averaged 5.1 and 5.7 respectively could have also been looked at.

Or just considering the winter temperatures:

Sandusky winter Hi/ Low: 33.9/ 17.1

Cincinnati winter Hi/ Low: 44.5/ 25.0

And yet, I just keep thinking over and over about a line quoted in that article:

"It's an old adage, but charity begins at home," said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point.

I guess there should be no mistake made about where home is....

Perhaps CF was just going by plain numbers:

http://jfs.ohio.gov/releases/unemp/200701/...ressRelease.asp

Considering that Sandusky's unemployment rate has averaged 6.03 and Hamilton/ Cincinnati area has averaged 5.1 and 5.7 respectively could have also been looked at.

Or just considering the winter temperatures:

Sandusky winter Hi/ Low: 33.9/ 17.1

Cincinnati winter Hi/ Low: 44.5/ 25.0

I somehow doubt it was given that much thought

But, if that was their criteria, Muskegon, MI (Michigan's Adventure's home town) would have been an even better choice. Michigan's unemployment rate in December 2006 was over 7.0%, and the average low in Muskegon in January is 17.

I didn't check in Allentown, PA's current unemployment, but historically that has also been an economically challenged area as well (although, probably not as cold as Sandusky or Muskegon)...

...but, unfortunately the 28K+ residents of Sandusky, OH aren't the ones providing all 14 million visits to Cedar Fair parks last year.

It's perfectly fine to think and act like a hometown local company when that's what you are. When you're a large, international corporation it's necessary to adjust your world view somewhat.

Not really, I think this will have little bearing on how many people visit all their parks. Their investment in the parks is the only thing that can effect the 14 million visitors. I really don't think too many people will not attend Kings Island next year because the coats went to sandusky

I don't think this one event would have too much of an effect either. I was more referring to your business advice of "promoting one business over another" in your post about what you'd do as a business owner... I was pointing out that isn't a course of action a large international company would want to follow. Especially when no single park in your chain is responsible for more than 20% of your overall revenue...

But, Woofer is right--corporate good (or bad) will is a very powerful force. GL is still suffering the consequences of some PR missteps in the early days of CF's ownership. They had a great opportunity to make some good press with the 1.8M residents of the Cincy MSA...but, oh well--they got some great press with the 28,000 residents of Sandusky instead (who already loved Cedar Fair anyway).

My point was you can still favor your flagship park, and the people of Sandusky who made you a success, that may be putting good will above business, but the point is, it will all come down to investment in the park, if they do the right things investing in the park, that will do a heck of a lot more in advertising to bring people in then coats. I think people over react, it was just a nice gesture to Sandusky by the time april rolls around whether it went to sandusky or the queen city it will all be forgoten