Mall of America® helped raise $1.5 million and collected more than 200,000 toys during its season of giving charitable events
BLOOMINGTON, MN — January 11, 2024
Mall of America® wrapped up the holiday season with a giant bow of gratitude. Throughout the season of giving, Mall of America worked with numerous community organizations to host a variety of events and activations for guests to give back and support several amazing causes. These efforts resulted in more than $1.5 million raised for local charities working towards making a difference in our community.
“Giving back to the community we love is at the heart of what we do at Mall of America,” said Sara Durhman, Director of Community Relations at Mall of America. “This holds especially true during the holiday season when we host numerous uplifting and touching events that raise funds to lend a helping hand to those who need it most. The incredible stories, along with the passion, kindness, and generosity I have seen and experienced during these events has had a lasting impact on me. This is truly what the magic of the holiday season is all about.”
Here is a look back at some of the charitable events from the 2023 holiday season and the impact they had on the local Twin Cities community.
Festival of Trees
Nearly 41,000 visitors stopped by Festival of Trees this season, which resulted in more than $52,000 raised for the MOA® Community Foundation. This was a free and festive walk-through winter wonderland experience showcasing more than 80 uniquely decorated trees. Various businesses and organizations throughout the Twin Cities and within Mall of America decorated their trees with décor, gifts, and extraordinary prizes. Guests were able to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win the items from their favorite trees, with each having a prize value ranging from $75 up to nearly $2,000. All proceeds from the raffle tickets benefited the MOA® Community Foundation to support education for all throughout the state of Minnesota. The four pillars of the foundation include education, mental health, community wellness, and financial stability.
Toys for Tots
This year, Mall of America was the Toys for Tots Twin Cities official headquarters and primary donation site. The U.S. Marine Toys for Tots program collected new and unwrapped toys, books, and educational materials for children across the Twin Cities. During the 2023 holiday season, Toys for Tots collected more than 200,000 toys at Mall of America. Toys for Tots worked with various community partners to distribute these toys to more than 200 local organizations for kids to receive on Christmas Day
Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringers
Every year, Mall shoppers are greeted by the Salvation Army’s iconic red kettles and the cheerful volunteer bell ringers. This season, volunteers collected more than $21,000 at Mall of America entrances throughout the months of November and December. The collected donations helped provide food, shelter, and care to local individuals and families in need.
KS95 for Kids “Clouds” Choir for a Cause + Radiothon
Friday, December 8, 2023 was a jam-packed day here at Mall of America. In just one day, more than $1.1 million was raised for cancer research. KS95 hosted their 25th annual on-air fundraiser, KS95 for Kids Radiothon. Later that same evening, thousands of guests filled the Huntington Bank® Rotunda to celebrate the life and legacy of Zach Sobiech and 2023’s Clouds Choir Ambassador, Megan, for the 11th annual KS95 for Kids “Clouds” Choir for a Cause. The partnerships between Mall of America, KS95, and the Children’s Cancer Research Fund have brought thousands of people together to raise funds for cancer research and honor those facing a cancer diagnosis. The funds benefited Gillette Children’s and M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital, and the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund through the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
Catholic Charities Giving Tree
Catholic Charities was back at Mall of America for another year of the Giving Tree with a weekend-long event. Guests selected from a variety of essential items on the Giving Tree wish list to shop for while doing the rest of their holiday shopping. The gifts could be dropped off at the Giving Tree event space in Macy’s Court. The event raised more than $11,000 worth in cash and in-kind donations for local families in need.
Union Gospel Mission + Every Meal
The Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities and WCCO Radio held the 21st annual Hunger Mission radiothon with an all-day live broadcast from Mall of America. During this event, more than $370,000 was raised to help provide food, shelter, programs, and services for people experiencing hunger, homelessness, and addiction in the Twin Cities. Every Meal, the local non-profit organization, had an activation set up at Mall of America during the holiday season to collect donations while raising awareness about families facing food insecurities. Through both events, more than 140,000 meals were provided to families in need this holiday season.
Community Events in Nickelodeon Universe
Mall of America helped impact thousands of lives this holiday season by opening Nickelodeon Universe for free during two exclusive experiences. As part of our ongoing Beyond the Yellow Ribbon commitment, Mall of America brought back the beloved event, Holiday for Heroes. Approximately 3,500 military family members were invited to enjoy a festive day at Nickelodeon Universe as a thank you for their service. Additionally, Nickelodeon Universe was a first-time host site for Winter Wonderland, an event organized by Be The Change MN. This magical holiday experience welcomed more than 3,000 guests, including over 800 underserved children from three North Minneapolis schools, along with their families, teachers, and school administrators. Both of these incredible experiences allowed Mall of America to play a part in creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Mall of America wants to thank all our community partners and everyone who attended a community event this holiday season. The incredible accomplishment of raising $1.5 million couldn’t have happened without the generosity of Mall of America guests.
At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, a 7-acre indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; Crayola Experience; and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to MSP International Airport. Follow Mall of America on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Listen to So Much More – a Mall of America podcast, on all major platforms. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
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