Silver Sands Factory Outlet Community Fundraising Challenge

[jodimarie]

SANDESTIN, Fla. (September 9, 2005) – Visitors and local residents who shop at Silver Sands Factory Stores are being challenged to help raise up to $30,000 by September 30 that will be used primarily to help hurricane evacuees who will be living in Northwest Florida for the immediate future. Silver Sands today donated $10,000 to relief efforts and its parent company, Howard Group, has offered to match community donations at the center through September 30, up to $10,000.

“About $6,000 was collected here after hurricane Ivan over two weeks, so we already know that our shoppers and store associates are very generous. While we are still accepting hard goods at our Hurricane Relief Hub, it’s become apparent that cash donations are a much more efficient way of providing these folks with the essentials they need for everyday life,” said Myra Williams, vice president of marketing for Howard Group.

According to Williams, all funds collected will be funneled through both local and national relief organizations that are helping the displaced, including Emerald Coast Christian Center (ECCC), Destiny Worship Center and The American Red Cross. “Although we are one of the nation’s largest designer outlet centers, our major focus is always on our community. We really gave some thought to the most effective way we can serve hurricane victims, and we’ve decided to concentrate primarily on helping the many evacuees who have suddenly become a part of our local community,” Williams explained.

According to Tamara Crutchfield, ECCC Coordinator of the Silver Sands Hurricane Relief Hub, more than 150 families – some with as many as nine members – have applied for and received assistance from the center. Crutchfield said that support from the community and the stores has been overwhelming as far as donations of clothing and other items and cash raised at donation boxes in the stores over the last week.

“Sorting through these items requires time and manpower. Often the items donated don’t specifically fit the needs – these people need the most basic essentials, like underwear and toiletries, which can’t be donated,” Williams explained. “That’s why we’ve issued this challenge. We’re donating money and asking our shoppers to help us increase that contribution,” she continued.

The Hurricane Relief Hub is currently open Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.- 6 p.m. It is located at the edge of the Fashion Court between Brooks Brothers and Perry Ellis Factory Store. People displaced by Hurricane Katrina are encouraged to sign up at the Hub for assistance. A listing of current job opportunities at Silver Sands Stores will be available at the Hurricane Relief Hub and at silversandsoutlet.com.

Silver Sands Factory Stores, a Howard Group Development, currently features more than 100 designer outlet stores with 450,000 square feet of retail space, and ultimately 700,000 planned. Designer merchandise is available at up to 75 percent off retail price. It is the nation’s largest designer outlet center, drawing more than six million shoppers annually. Silver Sands is located on U.S. Highway 98, one mile west of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Center hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Center Office at (850) 654-9771 or visit online at silversandsoutlet.com