In an effort to help support local teachers and their schools during the busy Back to School shopping season, Exton Square Mall has launched “Kickstart Your Class,” a crowd funding campaign built in conjunction with online charity DonorsChoose.org.
In July, Exton Square Mall launched launch KickstartYourClass.com, an innovative microsite that allows teachers to post DonorsChoose.org classroom project requests online so that donors can easily find and fund local school projects of their choosing. The mall reached out to local teachers to introduce them to this fundraising initiative by hosting an “Educators’ Night Out” event with special in-store promotions, prizes, refreshments and more.
For the next step in the process, Exton Square Mall is now working to connect qualifying projects with potential donors through targeted sponsored Facebook posts and other digital and social media channels. The mall’s owner, PREIT, will also be distributing over $75,000 of DonorsChoose.org gift cards throughout its entire portfolio of malls to be used for the funding of select projects.
“Kickstart Your Class is our way of thanking our loyal shoppers and showing the community how much we value our students, teachers and their schools,” says Mary Kay Owen, Exton Square Mall Marketing Director. “In working with DonorsChoose.org to crowd fund these projects, we are demonstrating the true power of community.”
Local teachers have voiced their appreciation for the Kickstart Your Class program in helping them create better educational environments in public schools. Many have needs for basic classroom supplies, while others are looking to enhance their classroom with unique learning opportunities.
Shanelle Dorsey who attended the mall’s Educators’ Night Out event said the mall did a wonderful job creating a fun and simple way for the community to invest in its schools.
DonorsChoose.org engages the public in public schools by giving people a simple, accountable and personal way to address educational inequity. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made at DonorsChoose.org or PREIT’s microsite, KickstartYourClass.com.
Plus, to celebrate the new season and school year, Exton Square Mall is hosting a Back to School Pep Rally on Saturday, August 29th from 11am-2pm in the North Court (near the GAP stores) for students and families: A community celebration offering a fun experience!
Check out this must attend event and enjoy the Mall’s Prize Spinning Wheel, swag bags, music, store mascots, area high school cheerleading performances and free pompoms (while they last) so customers get to cheer as well!
Exton Square Mall is anchored by Boscov’s, Macy’s and Sears. It features more than 100 specialty retailers including aerie, American Eagle Outfitters, Banana Republic, Chico’s, The Children’s place, Crazy 8, Express, Francesca’s, GAP, GapKids, H&M, Jos. A. Bank, Lids, LOFT, rue21 etc!, Victoria’s Secret and White House│Black Market. The mall is also home to the Chester County Art Association’s Studio and the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce, furthering its position as a true centerpiece of the community.
