I was out of town this year during the Komen Walk for the Cure to benefit breast cancer research. Chad and I usually walk the race route together. I still wanted to support the cause this year despite missing the race, so I bought a few tickets to the Simon Evening of Giving through the Komen Foundation. Of the $10 for each ticket, $7 benefits the charity from which you bought your tickets (in my case, Komen) and $3 benefits the Simon Youth Foundation. One of my Jen-friends and Hillary came with me tonight to shop at Barton Creek Mall after regular mall hours. Many of the stores were offering discounts. I took advantage of 20% off at Yankee Candle and 15% off at the Gap.
Lots of local restaurants were there with free sample-size plates of food. I enjoyed chips and queso from Chuy's, hot chocolate from Norstrom's Ebar, pear with walnut salad and tomato bisque from Nordstrom's Bistro. Hillary and Jen sampled chicken and pasta dishes for Cannoli Joe's, barbecue turkey from The County Line and mushroom with chicken pasta dishes from Buca di Beppo. There were also drawings for door prizes, choirs performing and a few groups of dance classes performing.
Many of the charities participating in the event had tables set up around the common areas of the mall. We all visited the Komen table and bought travel mugs. I visited the American Heart Association table and made a donation in memory of my dad. The most visible charity group by far had to be a table of Austin's finest firefighters selling their hunky calendars. Their table was parked right outside of Victoria's Secret. Was this placement on purpose? If so, was that appropriate?
Overall, this event was so much fun! I'll do it again next year in addition to the Race for the Cure.
