Quaker Bridge Mall to Host Caring Santa Event for Children with Special Needs
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Jennifer Sherlock
609.369.3482
jsherlock@jennacommunications.com
CARING SANTA EVENT TO BE HELD AT QUAKER BRIDGE MALL
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ, December 4, 2012 — Quaker Bridge Mall announced today that it will hold a Caring Santa™ event this holiday season on Sunday December 9 from 8 to 10 a.m. Caring Santa is a special event dedicated to families that have children with special needs, providing a subdued environment to visit The Santa Photo Experience.
Presenting Sponsors for the 2012 Simon Photo Experience include ABC Family, VISIT FLORIDA, Gymboree, and ScentSicles.
Caring Santa has been developed by Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the world’s leading retail real estate company and is guided by AbilityPath.org, a national online resource hub and special needs community.
Many steps are taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for the children’s magical visit with Santa. This environment is likely to include (specific elements or aesthetics may vary):
- Turning off in-mall music, stopping escalators located near the Santa set, dimming the lights, and shutting down fountains during the duration of the event.
- Eliminating queue lines through the use of a numbering system whereby guests approach the set when their number is called.
- Special activities and stories geared toward the needs of the child during the ‘wait’ period to help the child understand what activities will occur during the visit.
This will be the second year for the Caring Santa program at many Simon malls. “Last year, we saw families who received a Santa photo with their child for the very first time,” said Sheryl Young, CEO of AbilityPath.org. “We are fortunate to have terrific alliances with Simon and their photo operators who have worked with us to lessen potential triggers, like having the event occur during private mall hours and other slight adjustments that help provide a calmer sensory-friendly environment for all children to enjoy.”
“We are thrilled to be the venue for this incredible event,” said Marian Kapp, director of mall marketing at Quaker Bridge Mall. “The Caring Santa program brings a lot of joy to children with special needs and to see that happen at our mall is truly an honor.”
Participants are encouraged to RSVP for the Caring Santa event at Quaker Bridge Mall by going to www.AbilityPath.org.
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About Quaker Bridge Mall
Quaker Bridge Mall is a two-level, super-regional mall located in Central New Jersey at US Rt. 1, and is conveniently accessed via 95, 295 and most major roadways. Shop Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, jcpenney, Sears, plus Old Navy and 100 specialty shops and services. Quaker Bridge Mall is currently undergoing a major renovation that will welcome 40 new stores, a new food court and two full-service restaurants, including The Cheesecake Factory. The extensive renovations will include new interior and exterior features and amenities such as new soft seating, upgraded escalators, an elevator, updated restrooms, redesigned mall entrances, landscaping, new flooring, ceiling and handrails among other items. Check back for new store updates, news and events.
Find Quaker Bridge Mall on Facebook facebook.com/shopquakerbridge and Twitter @QBMall.
About Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG) is an S&P 100 company and the largest real estate company in the world. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 331 retail real estate properties in North America and Asia comprising 241 million square feet. We are headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employ approximately 5,500 people in the U.S. For more information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.
About AbilityPath.org:
AbilityPath.org is an online hub and special needs community for parents and professionals to learn, connect and live a more balanced life. The website combines social networking features with expert content from AbilityPath.org’s team of educators, parents, therapists and medical professionals.AbilityPath.org was created by Community Gatepath, a nonprofit with over 90 years of experience serving families and children with special needs by fostering hope, dignity and independence. AbilityPath.org may also be found on Facebook and Twitter.