Mall of America® celebrates the season of giving by raising $1.5 million for local charities
Along with collecting more than 200,000 toys and nearly 20,000 meals to brighten the holidays for those in need
BLOOMINGTON, MN — January 16, 2025
Mall of America® is kicking off 2025 with a giant “thank you!” to all the people and organizations that joined us to help make a difference this holiday season. Throughout the season of giving, Mall of America worked with numerous community organizations to host events and activities for guests to support amazing causes. These efforts raised nearly $1.5 million for local charities in our community.
“As one of the world’s largest retail and entertainment centers, Mall of America has the unique opportunity to raise awareness and resources for many worthy causes that impact countless lives,” said Sara Durhman, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Mall of America. “This is an honor and a responsibility that MOA has made a priority since opening. The holiday season has always been a time when people open their hearts to those in need—and I’m overwhelmed by the generosity demonstrated by our guests in 2024!”
Mall of America has been dedicated to giving back to the community, and in 2023 launched the MOA® Community Foundation to further this mission. Built on the pillars of education, mental health, community wellness, and financial stability, the Foundation continues the Mall’s tradition of embracing, supporting, and driving meaningful change. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for those in our local communities by creating inclusive opportunities and making a measurable impact in areas that matter most.
Here is a look back at some of the charitable events and the effect they had on the local Twin Cities community.
Festival of Trees
Over 47,000 visitors stopped by Festival of Trees this season, raising more than $66,000 for the MOA® Community Foundation. Presented by Pepsi and supported by KOOL 108, this was a free and festive winter wonderland experience showcasing 75 uniquely decorated trees. Businesses and organizations throughout the Twin Cities and within Mall of America decorated trees with beautiful décor, gifts, and prizes. Guests could enjoy the magical scenery and buy raffle tickets for a chance to win the items from their favorite trees, valued up to nearly $2,000. All proceeds benefited the MOA Community Foundation in its efforts to promote education throughout Minnesota.
Toys for Tots
For the second year in a row, Mall of America was the official headquarters and primary donation site for Toys for Tots Twin Cities. 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 2024 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 nearly $24,000 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 6, 2024, was a jam-packed day at Mall of America. In just one day, more than $1 million was raised for pediatric cancer research. KS95 hosted their 26th annual on-air fundraiser, KS95 for Kids Radiothon, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. culminating in a whopping 12 hours! Later that same evening, thousands of guests filled the Huntington Bank® Rotunda to celebrate the life and legacy of Zach Sobiech and 2024’s Clouds Choir Ambassador, Alejandro, for the 12th annual KS95 for Kids “Clouds” Choir for a Cause. Zach Sobiech was an 18-year-old Minnesota musician who wrote and performed the hit song “Clouds” before losing his battle with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer affecting children. 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 nearly $18,000 worth in-cash and in-kind donations for local families in need.
Union Gospel Mission
The Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities and WCCO Radio held the 22nd annual Hunger Mission radiothon with an all-day live broadcast from Mall of America. During this event, more than $345,000 was raised to help provide food, shelter, programs, and services for people experiencing hunger, homelessness, and addiction in the Twin Cities.
Every Meal
Every Meal, the local non-profit organization, hosted a large-scale food packing event to combat food insecurity among Minnesota children. Eight faith-based teams competed to pack 18,559 meals for 375 schools.
Community Events in Nickelodeon Universe
Mall of America touched thousands of lives this holiday season by opening Nickelodeon Universe exclusively for two special experiences. As part of our Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campaign to thank members of our armed forces, Mall of America hosted “Holiday for Heroes”—inviting approximately 3,500 military family members to enjoy a festive and complimentary day at Nickelodeon Universe. Additionally, Nickelodeon Universe hosted “Winter Wonderland,” an event organized by Be The Change MN. This magical holiday experience welcomed approximately 3,000 guests, including 800 underserved children from four elementary schools, along with their families. Mall of America is proud to host these incredible events to enrich the holidays and create 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. Only through the combined efforts of Mall of America’s partners and guests was it possible to raise a grand total of $1.5 million this holiday season. Here’s to a hopeful 2025!
ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA
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 or watch on YouTube. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
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