I didn't go for this Open House thing. Perhaps people were greedy, but I don't think they should be held against for "[taking] the drink for FREE FREE FREE". The full-page pamphlet distributed in "The Starbucks Experience" states:

* INVITATION *

Starbucks Christmas
Open House 2005

Come to any Starbucks Coffee

8 Dec (Thur)
From 5pm -- 7pm

and enjoy your favourite Starbucks beverage* on us

Yes, it's on the house!

We are passionate about offering the highest quality coffee to our customers.
We are also committed to contributing positively to the community.
=========================
Make a donation of your choice and 100% of the proceeds will go to The Salvation army. Come and enjoy your favourite Starbucks beverage* and make a difference to our community.

* One redemption per customer - Tall-sized beverage only - Bottled beverages not applicable - Event only in Singapore

In the pamphlet, everything before the horizontal bar was enclosed by a border and highlighted. The donation text was comparatively small at the end of the page.

Reading the pamphlet gives me the impression that it is a Starbucks gimmick and they're treating everyone to a drink, and the charity thing is separate and by-the-way.

If it were supposed to be a charity thing, Starbucks should have named it a "Charity Open House 2005" and emphasized on the charity part more.