Save the Date! You can help the Virginia State Parks just by shopping at Macy’s on Saturday, April 25th! The Virginia Association for Parks is proud to be a beneficiary of Macy’s One Good Turn charity shopping event and will direct all proceeds back to the parks.
This event raises much-needed funds that will support parks that you know and love. When you make a $5 donation at any Macy’s location or from the volunteers and Friends Group at your local state park, you’ll contribute to preserving our local and national parks AND you’ll receive two great shopping benefits from Macy’s. Your $5 donation entitles you to an all-day savings pass worth 10-20% off most purchases all day, PLUS you’ll get $5 off a one-time $15 or more purchase.
In 2008, Macy’s One Good Turn event raised nearly $2.7 million for parks nationwide. With your help, we can continue the success in 2009 and ensure that our state parks are well taken care of and available for use today and by future generations. Macy’s East Community Relations Director Kristen Esposito said, “Our Turn Over A New Leaf campaign was designed to inspire a renewed interest in protecting and preserving our parks and to heighten environmental awareness among our customers and employees.”
This year, 40% of the proceeds from the $5 in-store donations will go to the creation of a prototype exhibit for new visitor centers. There are several new visitor centers that have already been constructed, are under construction or in architectural design that will need exhibits. For those parks with outdated exhibits, the prototype exhibit to be created with Macy’s funds may serve as an interim improvement until more funding becomes available. Also, the prototype exhibit can be used at ALL parks as changeable, rotating exhibits. These exhibits will assist us by spreading environmental awareness to our visitors in a more dynamic way.
“We know how important parks and green spaces are to the well-being of our communities,” Ms. Esposito said. “They provide peaceful gathering places for local residents to enjoy nature and connect with our shared environment. As a member of this community, Macy’s is committed to contributing to a healthier, more vibrant place to live and work.”
Please support our parks through this campaign, make your $5 donation today and shop at Macy’s on April 25th! Your one-time $5.00 off $15 purchase is good April 25 -May 9, 2009 at all Macy’s stores. And while you are out shopping on April 25, bring the kids by the following Northern Virginia Stores: Tysons Corner Central, Tysons Galleria, Ballston Common, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and Fair Oaks. State Park employees will be there from 12 – 2pm with lots of children’s activities that promote the concept of “reduce, reuse, and recycle” to protect the environment and the wildlife it supports.
For more information on Earth Day programs or state parks in Virginia, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov