Great response at mall

Retailers at the Bahrain City Centre stepped out from their corporate offices to extend their support towards a good cause by making donations for the Make a Difference this Ramadan community campaign which continues to grow in strength each week.

GulfWeekly has linked up with the mall to back its initiative which encourages customers to donate everyday items many take for granted such as clothing, books, eye glasses and mobile phones.

A special collection box has been placed in the mall to allow big-hearted readers to make donations.
 
Managers called in at the mall with bags of donations from their staff as well as from previous stock to drop off their contributions to the good cause.

Sachin Sharma, operations manager of the Apparel Group, and his colleagues had their hands filled with bags of clothes and shoes from a number of their brands including Jeanswest, Charles & Keith, Nine West, Bench, Naturalizer and Kenneth Cole. He said: “We always save our old stocks for a good cause as part of our social responsibility. This year’s response has been very impressive as compared to the last and I am sure it will only grow bigger and bigger.

“As a retailer I am not very aware of all the different campaigns and charities on the island. The management has also been very helpful in organising such a medium where we can help.”

Zodi John, deputy manager of Debenhams, said: “Our staff members have contributed clothes for the box. This is a brilliant initiative by the Bahrain City Centre and other malls must definitely lead by example.”

Aside from clothing and shoe brands, even staff members from Costa Coffee made their donations. Alessandra Faria, marketing executive, said: “Everyone has some stuff at home that they can donate for a good cause. I always do!

“Social responsibility is always a big subject for Costa Coffee. We have our own Costa Foundation, where part of the sales of mocha Italia blend of coffee beans go. They support the communities where Costa Coffee beans are grown, building schools and hospitals. We are very happy to be of help to the Bahraini community as well, alongside the mall initiative.”

Goods donated will be sorted for distribution by members of the Awali Thrift Shop, the renowned charity champions who have been supporting those in need throughout the kingdom for 43 years.
 
The collection box is located on the ground floor behind the customer services desk at the mall.