First festival of giving at The Woodlands Mall hailed a success with 1,000 tickets sold by participating area nonprofits

Three-hour charity event emphasized shopping and socializing and saving

From 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, shoppers enjoyed Festival of Giving presented by Domino magazine at The Woodlands Mall. The evening was filled with music and refreshments, socializing, modeling – and most of all, exclusive, one-night savings in stores throughout the shopping center.

Approximately 1,000 tickets were sold by area nonprofits, who retained 100 percent of the $10 ticket price. Upon arrival at The Woodlands Mall, ticket holders were given a Festival of Giving wristband as a signal to retailers and caters that the person was eligible for the exclusive, one-night savings and was invited to enjoy the buffet. Two lucky ticket holders won $500 shopping sprees at the mall.

The evening's entertainment also included music from a brass quintet and a harpist, and shoppers were treated modeling of some of the latest fashions. A glimpse at the evening's festivities and participants follow.

• Signing in. At each of the mall entrances and throughout the shopping center, ticket holders exchanged tickets for a Festival of Giving wristbands and registered to win one of the two $500 shopping sprees.

• Volunteers. Karen Reed from National Charity Round Table, left, and Anita Phillips, from The Community Clinic, were among the volunteers from area nonprofits who staffed tables at the mall entrances and throughout the shopping center.

• More volunteers. The National Charity Roundtable (NCR) staffed a sign-in table on the upper level of The Woodlands Mall. From left, Drake Brandon Sacks and Robin Sacks from NCR and LaTonya Bowens, marketing assistant at The Woodlands Mall.

• Montgomery County Women's Center. At the sign in table near Dillard's, volunteers from Montgomery County Women's Center (MCWC) were on duty. From left, Minuit Sanden, MCWC; Mary Evans, marketing manager for Baybrook Mall; Carin Elliott, MCWC; Kim Wells, MCWC; helped ticket holder Maria Realy Vasquez, far right, get started for the evening's events.

• Nonprofits help out. At the entrance near Santa, volunteers were on hand to help individuals begin the evening of shopping. From left, Cindy Giacona, Sunmart Animal Rescue Tea; April Jones, marketing manager for Willowbrook Mall; and Thelma Braddock, Rhonda Barton and Michelle Braddock, from Special Angels.

• Dining. As well as exclusive, one-night savings, ticket holders enjoyed a buffet dinner. Shown are Phillip and Theresia Phillip.

• Buffet dining. Doris and Mike McGee, Festival of Giving ticket holders, took time out from shopping to enjoy the buffet dinner.

• Dessert. From left, Rachel Lemay and Elaine Pendergrass enjoy choosing from the dessert table, laden with chocolates and other pastries.

• Shopping break. Six shoppers stopped to enjoy a moment of socializing. From left, Lisa Moore, Natalie Ford, Wanda Kelly, Judy Trimm, Debbie Slade and Jessica Slade.

• Music from The BOB. KTWL Radio, 105.3 BOB FM entertained the shoppers with an evening of music that was broadcast throughout the shopping center and over the airwaves. Tom Conley, voice of The BOB, and Andrea Thompson, regional vice president for General Growth Properties and resident of The Woodlands, broadcast live interviews during the evening.

Planning is underway for Festival of Giving 2008. For more information, contact LaTonya Bowens, 281.363.3363 or latonya.bowens@ggp.com

The Woodlands Mall is located at I-45 north at Lake Woodlands Drive. For directions, visit www.thewoodlandsmall.com or call 281.363.3409.

The Woodlands Mall is owned and managed by General Growth Properties, Inc., the second largest U.S.-based publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) based upon market capitalization. General Growth has ownership interest or management responsibility for a portfolio of more than 200 regional shopping malls in 45 states, as well as ownership interest in master-planned community developments and commercial office centers. General Growth's international portfolio includes ownership and management interest in shopping centers in Brazil and Turkey. The Company's portfolio totals approximately 200 million square feet and includes more than 24,000 retail stores nationwide. General Growth Properties, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GGP. For more information, please visit http://www.ggp.com .