If you’ve already been there recently, you know that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Southcentre Mall.
The holiday decorations are up. The enchanted forest has taken over the centre space. Santa’s Ho Ho Ho is filling the air with excitement. Holiday deals are popping up. But most importantly, a bunch of fun, charitable activations are getting us in the true spirit of the holidays— the spirit of giving.
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This isn’t the first time the mall has taken on the role of bringing the community together. But with their Christmas activations, they sure have outdone themselves.
From a cute little reading nook to the innovative Giving Machines, Southcentre Mall has given the gift of giving a fun twist. And made it easy for us to give back to the community.
Here are all the ways the mall is letting you give back and have fun at once—
Giving Machines
A riff on the vending machines, the Giving Machines are exactly what they sound like, machines that let to give back. The machines let you donate to any local or international charity within minutes. These donations could be in the form of cash, groceries, clothes, school supplies and other meaningful gifts.
Cookie Kitchen
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The ever-popular Cookie Kitchen, which supports Calgary Meals on Wheels, is also making a comeback this holiday season. Located next to Santa’s Enchanted Forest, the colourful kitchen is where you can decorate a cookie in exchange for a donation to Calgary Meals on Wheels.
Wrapping for a Cure
Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s “Wrapping for a Cure” initiative is returning for its ninth year at the shopping centre. In exchange for a donation, you can head over to the wrapping station to make your gifts pretty before putting them under the tree. Each year, volunteers wrap thousands of gifts in support of this important cause.
Santa’s Reading Nook
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In partnership with Little Red Reading House, the mall has set up a reading nook where families can take a break from shopping and read a book together. The reading nook is a mini library where you can take books from and, of course, donate books as well. Enjoy a fun storybook reading session by LRRH volunteers or catch a classic holiday movie here.
Peace of Mind Visits
This is Southcentre Mall’s way of making sure that everyone gets to enjoy the ultimate holiday tradition, the Santa visit. On selected dates children with sensory sensitivities, mobility issues and immune-compromised families can visit Santa. This visit will take place in a sensory-friendly & safe environment.
If only all shopping sprees could be this gratifying, eh?
Check out the Southcentre Mall website below for more info. Oh, and feel free to get your furry friends along for that epic family photo with Santa.
SOUTHCENTRE MALL
Where: 100 Anderson Rd SE
