Charities Helped Through Festival of Giving

Several charities win big at the Colony Square Mall’s Festival of Giving.

This year the mall split $5,000 between nine local charities. Big Brothers/Big Sisters received 22 percent of the returned receipts and won big earning over $1,100. Executive Director Mollie Crooks said the money will be used to recruit, train and match bigs with littles.

Mall Marketing Manager Kevin Pinson said he was impressed with the turn-out.

"We had over $14,000 in receipts turned in for points. We think that was great for our retailers and of course the charities got $5,000."

The lowest amount of money given out was for just over $350. Pinson said they’re happy to help those in our area.

"We’ve always considered ourselves as much of a community center as a mall," said Pinson. "We will give out over this year $25,000 through our cash back for schools program, A plus for schools."

Pinson said the mall plans to hold the Festival of Giving again next year the Sunday before Thanksgiving.