SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- As parents and kids purchase clothing and school supplies during the 2001 back-to-school season, Santa Monica, CA-based Macerich is encouraging its shoppers to buy an extra pair of shoes for orphans in the United States and other parts of the world. Macerich Company (NYSE: MAC), one of the nation's largest owners/operators of regional malls, has teamed up with Buckner Orphan Care International for the third year to hold shoe drives at its properties for Buckner's "Shoes for Orphan Souls" program. While nine Macerich properties hosted a shoe drive last year, 26 malls have committed to collecting shoes in 2001.
Macerich's expanded commitment to "Shoes for Orphan Souls" has made it possible for Buckner to increase its humanitarian outreach from five to 15 countries. Buckner's 2001 goal is to collect 100,000 pairs of shoes for orphans in Russia, Romania, China, Mexico, United States, Kenya, Ethiopia, Latvia, Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kosovo, Republic of Georgia, India and Peru.
"We have seen the smiles that a new pair of shoes brings to these children, and we want to extend that same joy to others like them," said Tiffany Taylor, director of Shoes for Orphan Souls. "Because of Macerich's commitment to this program, we can continue to increase the number of kids who will benefit."
Shoppers can donate new shoes, shoelaces, or socks, or a combination of the three to the Shoes for Orphan Souls shoe drives. Because of custom regulations, Buckner can only ship new items overseas.
"We first became part of 'Shoes for Orphan Souls' three years ago when we saw the potential to take it to a national level. It's been exciting to see the program grow to include 26 cities across the country," said Susan Valentine, senior vice president of marketing for Macerich Company. "By holding the shoe drive during one of our busiest shopping periods, we plan to help Buckner reach its 2001 goal."
"Shoes for Orphan Souls" is a worldwide initiative that was started in Dallas in 1994 by Ron Harris of KCBI Radio as "Shoes for Russian Souls." In 1999, the Macerich Company became a partner when it held a shoe drive at its Dallas shopping center, Valley View Center, and in 2000, Buckner expanded the program to include countries beyond Russia. Macerich's participation in the "Shoes" program has continued to grow and now includes a majority of its properties.
Buckner Orphan Care International brings together the expertise and resources of individuals and organizations to offer a world of hope for disadvantaged children in other countries. "Shoes for Orphan Souls" is one of many projects the organization carries out each year. More information on the program can be found at www.shoesfororphansouls.com.
The Macerich Company is a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust. Macerich is the sole general partner and owns an 80% ownership interest in The Macerich Partnership, L.P. The Company owns interests in 46 regional malls and five community centers totaling over 41.5 million square feet. Additional information about the Macerich Company can be obtained from the Company's web site at www.macerich.com .
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SOURCE Macerich Company
CONTACT: Milly Navarro, +1-972-788-4511, or mnavarro@lovellpr.com, or Betty Lovell, +1-972-788-4511, or blovell@lovellpr.com, both of Lovell Public Relations, for Macerich Company; or Susan Valentine of Macerich Company, +1-310-395-2791, or Susan_Valentine@macerich.com/