DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 2005-- Thousands of New T-shirts and Shoes Distributed in Dallas Through Buckner Orphan Care International and the Salvation Army, with More Headed to Houston and San Antonio
Shopping centers and corporations from across the country are delivering "T-shirts to Texas" for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Spearheaded by The Macerich Company (NYSE:MAC) and supported by other major mall developers, Buckner Orphan Care International and The Salvation Army, the effort is providing thousands of unused T-shirts, shoes, socks and other needed items directly to North Texas evacuees.
Volunteers for T-shirts to Texas will distribute items to evacuees staying at Dallas' Reunion Arena, the Dallas Convention Center, hotels and private homes today at 1:30 p.m. at The Salvation Army Hurricane Katrina Distribution Center (1607 West Commerce Street, Dallas). Additional distributions will take place in Houston and San Antonio, Texas, in the coming days.
Throughout the past week, Macerich's Valley View Center in Dallas and Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth have collected more than 15,000 T-shirts for the T-shirts to Texas campaign, in addition to caps, tote bags and other products also sent from supporters nationwide. Buckner is contributing approximately 3,000 pairs of shoes, 7,500 pairs of socks and 500 teddy bears, all new, as part of its Shoes for Orphan Souls program, which has provided more than 13,000 pairs of new shoes to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in Louisiana and Texas.
"When the shirt on your back is the only one you have, another is greatly appreciated. We knew filling this need was a way to quickly respond and reach out to the hurricane survivors," said Susan Valentine, senior vice president of marketing for The Macerich Company. "We put out a call to other shopping center developers and corporations for help by donating promotional or overstocked items, and the call was overwhelmingly answered. We also received donations from many caring individuals."
Added Tiffany Taylor, marketing director for Buckner Orphan Care International, "The survivors are so appreciative of the T-shirts and shoes, and have been especially thrilled to get something new in the wake of their tragedy. We are grateful to our supporters who are making it possible for us to continue our outreach."
The Salvation Army is playing a major role in distributing the items to survivors who were evacuated to the Dallas area. "The support of individuals and corporate America is vitally important in filling the enormous need of the evacuees," said Major William Mockabee, area commander of The Salvation Army of The Greater Dallas Metroplex. "The T-shirts to Texas effort is helping to provide the staples that are so important as these people rebuild their lives."
Major contributors to T-shirts to Texas include: CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., Coyote Management, Forest City Enterprises, General Growth Properties, L.P., Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated, The Macerich Company, Madison Marquette, The Mills Corporation, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) and Richard E. Jacobs Group.
Valley View Center and Ridgmar Mall Guest Services Centers will continue to collect T-shirts through the end of September. For more information on T-shirts to Texas, visit www.tshirtstotexas.com.
The Macerich Company is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which focuses on the acquisition, leasing, management, development and redevelopment of regional malls throughout the United States. The Company is the sole general partner and owns an 81% ownership interest in The Macerich Partnership, L.P. Macerich now owns interests in properties totaling approximately 77 million square feet of gross leaseable area consisting primarily of interests in 76 regional malls. Additional information about The Macerich Company can be obtained from the Company's Web site at www.macerich.com.
Buckner Orphan Care International (BOCI) is part of Dallas-based Buckner Benevolences. Buckner is one of the largest private social-care organizations in the nation, serving approximately 80,000 people each year. Founded in 1879, Buckner is a vastly diversified ministry dedicated to the restoration, care and healing of children, families and senior adults. Buckner seeks to provide care without regard to race, religion, economic status or social circumstance.
The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian organization that in the Greater Dallas area provides substance abuse treatment, homeless shelter, life skills classes, non-perishable food, Christmas gifts for children, domestic violence programs, emergency financial assistance (rent/mortgage/utilities), child care, after-school programs, summer day camps, computer training, senior citizens services and low-cost youth sports leagues. The Salvation Army is also involved in disaster relief services when a crisis occurs.
CONTACT: Lovell Public Relations Colleen Matthews or Tresa Hardt, 972-788-4511 214-328-3391(cell) matthews@lovellpr.com SOURCE: The Macerich Company