Shop ‘til you drop and help some people too

LYNNWOOD‹ For the second year in a row, Alderwood Mall shoppers can get some holiday shopping done while at the same time benefiting some local non-profit organizations at 3An Evening of Giving.2

From 7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, the mall will be selling $5 tickets to get into the door.

While it isn1t required to buy a ticket to shop at the mall during this time, the more than 50 non-profit organizations hope many patrons will.

Pay the $5, and get a wristband which will be a ticket to lots of store and restaurant discounts and special offers, door prizes and free gift wrapping, according to Tamera Wachter, director of marketing at the Alderwood Mall. She added, supporters don1t have to be present to win the prizes.

Currently the participating 501 (c) non-profit status organizations are selling tickets prior to the 3An Evening of Giving.2 All of the proceeds from the sales of those tickets the non-profit keeps.

One of the many non-profits participating this year is the Lynnwood High School Parent Teacher Student Association.

Kathy Chambers, who has two children at the high school, is the president of the PTSA. She said they are a newer non-profit and did do the Evening of Giving last year.

While they only made about $150, Chambers said the fundraiser was 3great.2

3The Evening of Giving was a great opportunity for us for a fundraiser and we didn1t have to sell candy,2 Chambers said. 3It1s very festive- and the mall makes it fun to shop that night.2

The Lynnwood High School PTSA will also be wrapping presents that evening for donations.

While the particular organizations get more money if you buy tickets directly from them before the event, tickets are also available at the door the night of the event. These proceeds will be separated equally between the organizations who volunteer that night, Wachter said. Children 5 years of age and younger will be admitted free.

3This is a real unique opportunity for the non-profit organizations because they don1t have to put any money up front for the fund raiser,2 she said.

The evening combines fundraising with a night of holiday shopping.

3A special time with Santa Claus and also a variety of holiday entertainment including the Dickens Carolers.

3This is a unique opportunity for supporters to enjoy an ‘exclusive1 evening of shopping including prizes, gift-wrapping and holiday entertainment— while supporting non-profit organizations in the area,2 Wachter said.