SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Shoppers are bringing holiday cheer to educational programs across the country with their support of The Macerich Company's (NYSE: MAC) Friends & Family Discount Shopping Day fundraiser hosted at nearly 60 regional malls on Sunday, Dec. 4. Educational groups are selling $10 tickets to the one-day shopping event -- raising an estimated $800,000 for programs during times of budget cuts in many states. A ticket provides shoppers exclusive savings on everything from fashion to toys and electronics at each center's participating retailers -- just in time for holiday shopping.
The Friends & Family fundraiser, part of The Macerich Company's year-round Teachers Supply Closet program, is helping to make the season bright for hundreds of participating K-12 and collegiate organizations -- from school bands to sports teams, student council, academic clubs and PTA -- that keep 100 percent of proceeds from ticket sales.
Shoppers can show their Friends & Family tickets at the register on Dec. 4 to redeem exclusive discounts and special offers at participating retailers such as Build-A-Bear Workshop® and Select Comfort at many centers. School groups benefiting from the program will be selling tickets as well as performing holiday concerts and events at many of the malls on Dec. 4.
The Macerich Company points out that educational cutbacks remain a challenge for school districts across the country, and as budgets are squeezed, educational programs continue to feel the pinch.
"Our research determined that educational cutbacks are a top concern among communities. Teachers Supply Closet programs provide a platform for our centers and their patrons to take action on supporting teachers and education," explains Susan Valentine, senior vice president of marketing for Macerich. "On Friends & Family Discount Shopping Day, consumers can ring up savings on their holiday purchases while helping educational programs to fulfill their own wish lists through ticket sales."
The program comes during the season of charitable giving for many Americans. Macerich's Shopping in America Holiday 2005 consumer survey found that 52 percent of shoppers plan to donate to a charity this holiday season.
"Friends & Family offers a convenient way for communities to join together in the spirit of giving to support local education," continues Valentine. "By purchasing an event ticket, buying a new pair of gloves for your mother, aunt or sister may help to purchase new baseball gloves for local junior high or high school sports teams."
About Teachers Supply Closet
The Friends & Family Discount Shopping Day is part of the year-round Teachers Supply Closet program hosted by Macerich centers nationwide to help support education and to offset teachers' personal expenses for classroom supplies and related materials. The program offers numerous opportunities for community involvement in supporting local teachers and educational programs. Visit http://www.wemakegoodthingshappen.com for more information on Teachers Supply Closet and participating Friends & Family malls and retailers.
About The Macerich Company
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 82% ownership interest in The Macerich Partnership, L.P. Macerich owns approximately 79 million square feet of gross leaseable area consisting primarily of interests in 75 regional malls. Additional information about The Macerich Company can be obtained from the Company's web site at http://www.macerich.com .
SOURCE The Macerich Company 12/01/2005 CONTACT: Colleen Matthews or Tresa Hardt, +1-972-788-4511, or matthews@lovellpr.com , for The Macerich Company Web site: http://www.macerich.com http://www.wemakegoodthingshappen.com