PRESS KIT: Catholic Charities Giving Tree

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contacts:
Therese Gales; (612) 221-5161; therese.gales@cctwincities.org
Elizabeth Lyden; (651) 757-7764; elizabeth.lyden@cctwincities.org

Catholic Charities to host Annual Giving Tree event Dec. 21-22 at Mall of America®

Free holiday event providing opportunities for the whole family to give back; shop for someone in need; participate in pop-up volunteer opportunities; and meet therapy animals including alpacas, llamas, a mini horse, cats, and dogs.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Dec. 16, 2024) — Catholic Charities Twin Cities today announced the annual Giving Tree, a festive family-friendly event that provides community members of all ages with easy ways to give back and spread some holiday spirit! The two-day event features opportunities to shop for someone in need; participate in quick volunteer activities; learn more about the work of Catholic Charities; and meet therapy animals, including alpacas, llamas, a mini horse, dogs, and cats. Giving Tree will take place at Mall of America® (Macy’s Court) from 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec.21, and Sunday, Dec. 22.

Giving Tree supports Catholic Charities’ efforts to provide housing, emergency shelter, and direct services to more than 33,000 men, women, children and families every year. At the event, attendees can:

• shop for someone in need;
• assemble “sock-n-rolls,” which are cold-weather care packages consisting of socks, handwarmers, lip balm, tissues, and lotion — showing just how easy it is to make a difference for a neighbor served by Catholic Charities;
• And this year, North Star Therapy Animals — including alpacas, llamas, a mini horse, dogs, and cats — will be at the Giving Tree from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 21, and from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Sunday, December 22. Catholic Charities’ trauma-informed care approach aims to respond to individual needs in a safe, supportive environment — and therapy animals offer emotional support for clients and staff alike.

“The essential items donated through Giving Tree are critical in our efforts to support our neighbors across the Twin Cities as they work toward stability,” said Keith Kozerski, Chief Program Officer at Catholic Charities. “We invite you to join Giving Tree — a symbol of our shared commitment to the common good.”

“At Catholic Charities, we provide support and solutions for our neighbors in need of a little kindness,” said John Marston, Interim President and CEO of Catholic Charities. “This work would not be possible without the generous support of our community. We look forward to seeing you at the Giving Tree to celebrate the impact we can have when we all work together.”

This year, the first 25 people who bring a donated gift to Giving Tree on Saturday will receive a free signed copy of the book “The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands,” co-written by local New York Times best-selling author Resmaa Menakem and local Regional Emmy Award-winning actor, vocalist, and author T. Mychael Rambo. The book shares the beauty of connections across generations. As a former Catholic Charities Board Member and client, T. Mychael Rambo will be onsite at Giving Tree on Saturday, December 21, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. to sign books.

EVENT DETAILS

Event:
Catholic Charities Giving Tree

Dates:
Dec. 21-22, 2024

Duration:
All day (10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.)

Venue & Location:
Mall of America
Macy’s Court
60 E Broadway
Bloomington, Minn. 55425

Price:
Free

ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES TWIN CITIES:
Catholic Charities Twin Cities serves and advocates on behalf of those most in need. Our programs for children, families and adults annually assist more than 33,000 people, regardless of faith, background, or circumstance. Our dedicated staff partner with the individuals we serve to create opportunities for them to thrive. Catholic Charities amplifies the voices of those who often go unheard. Thousands of dedicated volunteers, advocates and donors make our work possible. We are proud to have served as a critical part of our community’s social and civic infrastructure for more than 150 years. To learn more about our impact, please visit www.cctwincities.org.

ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA®:
At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, a 7-acre indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; Crayola Experience; and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to MSP International Airport. Follow Mall of America on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Listen to So Much More – a Mall of America podcast, on all major platforms or watch on YouTube. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.

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