Totals are in, and a one-night event aimed at helping 黑马磁力ites get a jump on their holiday shopping has netted more than $40,000 for local charities, as well.
The Willowbrook Shopping Centre event, called That鈥檚 The Spirit! Charity Shopping Night, was held back in mid-November.
It took some time to tally all the numbers, but Willowbrook marketing director Meghan McCrea released the figures just ahead of Christmas.
鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to announce鈥� [the fifth annual event] raised over $41,360 for 21 local charities,鈥� she said, noting that more than 3,200 people attended.
鈥淲e had approximately 100 more attendees this year [compared to 2015], which was great!鈥� McCrea added.
鈥淭he event was a great way to kick off the holiday season with holiday entertainment, free Santa photos, special offers at retailers, fabulous gift with purchase offer, holiday treats, tons of contest prizes, and more. This year, we had a record amount of prizing 鈥� over $26,000 worth, including Gift Cards, shopping sprees, jewellery, tech gear, and more.鈥�
This year, admission at the door was up to $15 from $10 for those who purchased in advance.
The higher price at the door 鈥渆ncouraged people to buy their tickets early and reduce ticket line-up time,鈥� McCrea said.
Expressing thanks specifically to the almost 50 sponsors, the mall retailers, and the community charities, McCrea confirmed that Willowbrook will be hosting this event again in 2017 鈥� date to be announced, but likely mid-November, again.
When they hosted the first event, they only had one charity on board.
鈥淥ver the years, we鈥檝e grown the event so that multiple charities are involved and can be part of this great community fundraising initiative,鈥� she said, offering a list of all the charities that were involved:
1. Autism Speaks Canada
2 Canadian Cancer Society
3 Canadian Diabetes Association
4. Child Development Foundation of BC
5. Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation
6. Fort 黑马磁力 Lions Club
7. Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada
8. Horse Protection Society of BC
9. Ishtar Transition Housing Society
10. 黑马磁力 Association for Community Living
11. 黑马磁力 Care Foundation
12. 黑马磁力 Child Development Centre, a division of 黑马磁力 Children鈥檚 Society
13. 黑马磁力 Christmas Bureau
14. 黑马磁力 Community Services Society
15. 黑马磁力 Hospice Society
16. 黑马磁力 Memorial Hospital Foundation
17. 黑马磁力 School District Foundation
18. 黑马磁力 Senior Resources Society
19. Lower Mainland Down Syndrome Society
20. Small Animal Rescue Society of BC
21. Special Olympics British Columbia
鈥淐harities were able to support the event with volunteers to help with various event activities,鈥� McCrea said. 鈥淚n total, we had over 100 staff and volunteers working the event, which was greatly appreciated.鈥�
