Simon Announces New Activation: Simon Supports Education

CHICAGO (May 25, 2017) – Simon, a global leader in retail real estate ownership, is proud to support Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) in its efforts to increase educational opportunities for at-risk students through Simon Supports Education. The movement incorporates several activations designed to engage shoppers in SYF’s mission.

The Foundation operates 30 non-traditional high school academies across the country, housed primarily in Simon properties, and also provides a scholarship to one student in every community where there is a Simon property. Since its inception in 1998, Simon Youth Foundation has helped more than 14,000 at-risk students receive a high school diploma, and has awarded more than $16 million in scholarships.

Locally, Simon’s Chicago-area shopping centers provided $15,000 in 2017 scholarships to deserving recipients, including:

$3,000, on behalf of Woodfield Mall, to Katie Kopp, a graduate of J.B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, Ill., who is attending Loyola University, Chicago;

$2,500, on behalf of Orland Square Mall, to Marc Johnson, a graduate of Chicago’s Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy, who will be attending Notre Dame;

$1,500, on behalf of Woodfield Mall, to J.B. Conant High School graduate Kevin Sindewald, who will be attending University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign;

$1,500, on behalf of Orland Square Mall, to Lindblom Math and Science Academy graduate Andrea Bossi, who will be attending Harvard;

$1,500, on behalf of Gurnee Mills, to Destiny Schmidt, a graduate of Big Foot High School in Walworth, Wis., who will be attending Iowa State University;

$1500, on behalf of Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, to Michigan City High School graduate Kaitlyn Steinhiser, who will be attending Butler University;

$1500, on behalf of Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets, to Anneliese Ceisel, a graduate of Central High in Salem, Wis., who will be attending Brown University;

$500, on behalf of Gurnee Mills, to Dylan Brown, a graduate of New Tech High at Zion- Benton East, who will be attending Purdue University;

$500, on behalf of Chicago Premium Outlets, to West Aurora High School graduate Madeline Bozik, who will be attending Bradley University;

$500, on behalf of Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, to Michigan City High School graduate Emma Zaknoun, who will be attending Indiana University, Bloomington;

$500, on behalf of Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets, to Samantha Heidingsfelder, a graduate of Tremper High School in Kenosha, Wis., who will be attending University of Wisconsin, Parkside.

The shopping centers are also now offering community members the opportunity to support local students through the purchase of Simon Gift Cards. One dollar from every SYF Simon Visa gift card purchase will support scholarship and graduation programs in the community. These eye-catching cards make a perfect graduation gift.

“Simon Youth Foundation believes that every student deserves the support necessary to earn their high school diploma, and that financial reasons should never be the reason preventing a student from pursuing their dreams,” said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, President and CEO of SYF. “We are thrilled to have the support of our incredible corporate partner, Simon, and their Simon Supports Education movement.”

About SYF

SYF is a national non-profit that partners with public school districts to open dropout recovery academies inside Simon shopping malls. The organization now has 30 Simon Youth Academies in 12 states. In the organization’s 18-year history, more than 14,000 students have earned their diploma and more than $16 million in scholarships have been awarded. Visit syf.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@simon_youth), or Instagram (@simonyouthfoundation) for updates.

About Simon

Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and a S&P100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual sales. For more information, visit simon.com.

About Woodfield Mall

Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States, provides Chicago area residents and visitors with a distinctive collection of nearly 300 retail stores. The mega mall showcases five major anchors, including Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Nordstrom, JCPenney and Sears, plus popular stores Altar’d State, Anthropologie, Apple, Arhaus, AIX Armani Exchange, BOSS, COACH, Columbia Sportswear, ivivva, Michael Kors, Lacoste, lululemon, SIX:02, Timberland, Tommy Bahama, Tumi, White House/Black Market and Zara. Shoppers enjoy a delicious array of dining and entertainment options such as Uncle Julio's, Texas de Brazil, The Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s and Kinfork BBQ & Tap. Woodfield Mall is located about 25 miles from downtown Chicago and in close proximity to O’Hare International Airport. For additional information, visit www.shopwoodfield.com.

About Orland Square Mall

Orland Square Mall, the south suburbs’ leading fashion destination, is anchored by Macy’s, Carson Pirie Scott, Sears and JCPenney. This climate-controlled indoor mall features more than 150 popular retail stores, such as Apple, Aveda, Banana Republic, Brighton Collectibles, Francesca’s Collections, H&M, Lush, Pandora, PINK, Vera Bradley and Victoria’s Secret. In addition, shoppers enjoy a variety of dining options, including The Cheesecake Factory and Dave & Buster’s, as well as Starbucks, Great Steak & Potato Company, Zoup!, Chikwich at Fresh Market Grill and more. Orland Square Mall is located in Orland Park, Ill., at the intersection of 151st Street and La Grange Road. For more information, visit www.simon.com/mall/orland-square-mall.

About Gurnee Mills

Located at the intersection of Interstate 94 and Grand Avenue (IL 132) in Gurnee, Ill., Gurnee Mills is the largest shopping destination of its kind in the Chicago area, featuring an unparalleled selection of more than 200 outlet, value and full-price retailers, along with standout dining and entertainment offerings, all under one roof. Top-name brands include Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Forever 21, H&M, Guess Factory Store, Gap Outlet, Nike Clearance Store, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, LEGO Brand Retail Store, Charming Charlie, and a full-line Macy’s. For more information, visit www.gurneemills.com.

About Chicago Premium Outlets

Chicago Premium Outlets is a Simon center located 38 miles west of downtown Chicago off Interstate 88 at Farnsworth Ave. North in Aurora, Ill. For more than 10 years the center has been a top destination for everyday savings of 25 to 65 percent on fashion and popular brands including Adidas, Coach, Kate Spade, Levi’s Outlet Store, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion, Under Armour and Vera Bradley. Since its 2015 renovation, 50 new and expanded stores have opened at the popular outdoor center, including anchor Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, the state’s only Restoration Hardware Outlet, eclectic lifestyle designer Robert Graham, high-performance outfitter Arc’teryx, and Clarins luxury skincare. For more information, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/chicago.

About Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets

Located in Michigan City, Ind., just one mile from Lake Michigan, Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets is only 45 minutes from South Bend, Ind., 60 minutes from downtown Chicago and approximately two hours from Grand Rapids, Mich. The 100-store center is home to designer and brand-name retailers including Coach, Columbia Sportswear, Michael Kors, Nike Factory Store, The North Face, Under Armour and Vera Bradley. For additional information, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/lighthouseplace.

About Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets

Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets is a Simon center, located 60 miles north of Chicago and 38 miles south of Milwaukee, off Interstate 94 at Highway 165, near Kenosha, Wis. The 90-store center is home to designer and brand-name retailers including Aeropostale, Adidas, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Converse, Michael Kors, Levi’s Outlet, The North Face, Timberland, Pandora, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sunglass Hut, UGG, Under Armour and White House Black Market. For more information, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/pleasantprairie.

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