Inland Center, in California, US, is teaming up with AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort™ to make Valentine’s Day a little nicer for U.S. Servicemen and women overseas.

The shopping center is collecting personalized, pre-made Valentine’s Day cards to send to the troops. The cards can help soldiers feel supported and connected to the world back home.

The shopping center is also collecting supplies to send, as many basic necessities are small luxuries are hard to come by, and not every soldier has a family to send care packages.

Here’s a fantastic idea that slipped by me this Christmas. Broadway on the Mall recently participated in an auction for the Lord Mayor’s Community Trust by selling a little black dress designed exclusively for the mall. The Little Brisbane Dress was designed by Juli Grbac, a hot new Australian fashion designer that recently won Project Runway Australia.

Broadway on the Mall prides itself on being a fashion leader, so this opportunity was perfect for it. But working closely with local artists could be a successful combination for any mall.

Cause Marketing: Cause Marketing is the art of combining your commercial brand with a non-profit issue. Cause marketing campaigns have years of history and range from relatively superficial tactical partnerships, to long-term, strategic alliances that penetrate deeply into business and nonprofit organizations.

Opry Mills has teamed up with Soles4Souls this Christmas, to bring new and gently-worn shoes to thousands who need them around the world.

The shopping center’s plan is especially ambitious. The goal is to build the world’s largest Tower of Shoes, and with over 20,000 pairs of shoes donated so far, it looks like the plan has succeeded.  Shoppers can donate their own gently-worn shoes (which will be refurbished, or, if necessary, recycled), and they can also donate $2 per new pair of shoes they want sponsor.

Opry Mills is displaying the Tower, which is currently 12 feet tall with one more week to go. The Tower features stories and photos of people who’ve been helped by the charity.

Cause Marketing: Cause Marketing is the art of combining your commercial brand with a non-profit issue. Cause marketing campaigns have years of history and range from relatively superficial tactical partnerships, to long-term, strategic alliances that penetrate deeply into business and nonprofit organizations.

White Oaks Mall in Ontario, CA, held a fun online event this month with its Treasures of Hope auction. Visitors to the mall’s website could bid on their choice of 116 gift cards and packages from the mall and its retailers, with all proceeds going to the Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex.

The auction is well planned – each retailer makes a small contribution of a gift card or two to the cause. Shoppers bid on the items, and generally get a good deal on a gift card or item. Each bid also grants a chance in a draw for a $500 draw, and the winner of each item valued at over $50 gets a bonus gift card to the mall’s food court. Everyone wins, especially the Children’s Aid Society. The auction brought in over $7500 for the charity.

Cause Marketing: Cause Marketing is the art of combining your commercial brand with a non-profit issue. Cause marketing campaigns have years of history and range from relatively superficial tactical partnerships, to long-term, strategic alliances that penetrate deeply into business and nonprofit organizations.

If you live in North America, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about this initiative. It’s not always called “Shop With A Cop,” but it’s always something similar. And it’s a great idea.

The initiative is organized by members of the police force. Donations are gathered from local businesses and residents, and the money goes toward under-priviledged children in the community. The kids are chosen by schools or non-profit organizations, and they generally gather with their parents at a local church or school for a big holiday breakfast. When the children are well-fed and happy, they go on a shopping trip with a member of the police force. Each child is given a gift certificate (which usually varies from $50-$100 depending on the success of the fundraising and the number of children involved) to spend on toys and clothing.

The initiative does a lot of good. It helps children in need have a happier Christmas, and it helps them develop a trusting relationship with law enforcement officers. The kids get to know an officer through the breakfast and shopping trip, and it gives them a chance to talk to someone in authority in a safe, comfortable situation.

Often these programs deal with individual stores, but this year GGP has included Shop with a Cop as one of its charities for The Giving Spree at some of it locations, like Spring Hill Mall in Illinois, US. There is certainly room for more shopping center involvement, as a donor or as a location for the event. Retailers are starting to offer discounts and promotions for Shop with a Cop as well. This program is growing, and it offers great opportunities to get involved.