Cash Back For Schools

TELEVISIONS AND DVD PLAYERS, COOKING KNIVES, CAMERAS AND TRIPODS, BALLS, ART SUPPLIES AND DIE CUTS …JUST A FEW OF THE ITEMS MADE POSSIBLE BY CASH BACK FOR SCHOOLS

Back by Popular Demand, Cash Back For Schools Returns to Media City Center With An Expanded Program and Larger Cash Prizes

Media City Center has renewed its commitment to the Burbank community by earmarking more than $25,000 for schools in the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD.) All 16 Burbank public schools will be participating in the mall's second annual Cash Back for Schools program, which kicked off Monday, October 20, 2003. Friends, families, and faculty of the BUSD can help their favorite Burbank schools raise money by shopping at Media City Center October 20, 2003 through May 14, 2004. Purchases at all Media Center Center retailers, restaurants and movie theaters, from Magnolia Boulevard to Burbank Boulevard, earn points for BUSD schools.

First launched in March 2002, Media City Center's new owners, Crown Realty & Development, Inc., have increased the mall's support of the BUSD this year by increasing the length of the Cash Back for Schools program, from 10 weeks to 25 weeks, and nearly doubling the dollars to be distributed, from $15,000 to $25,000. All BUSD schools were awarded with $250 and 100 points for registering to participate. Schools can earn 10 additional points for every dollar spent at Media City Center now through May 14, 2004.

"We learned quickly what of a difference $2,700 can make to your school's budget," said Barbie Fariss, past PTA president of 2002's first place winner Bret Harte Elementary. "We were able to fill in the holes left by budget cuts and make purchases that impacted all of our 700 students." Bret Harte's teachers provided the PTA with a wish list that included art supplies, balls for the playground, field trip support and extra assemblies. Letters for the school's marquee and a small garden, planted by Bret Harte teachers, were also purchased. "Now more than ever, every dollar for our school counts. Cash Back for Schools is a gift from Media City Center and we're happy to give back by doing our shopping at the mall," Fariss continued.

Burbank High's Parent Teacher Student Association utilized their Cash Back for Schools winnings similarly. Burbank High finished first in the high school category, earning $2,950 for wish list items submitted by the school's teachers. Cameras and tripods were purchased for the art rooms, televisions and DVD players for the language department, T183s for the math classes and new knives for the cooking teachers.

An additional $10,000 is up for grabs this time around and the race is on to earn points. Schools will earn 10 points for every dollar spent at Media City Center and 100 points per notification, up to 200 points per month, for promoting the program through newsletters, flyers, etc. now through May 14, 2004. In early February, Media City Center will rev up the program with a Mid-year Rally and $500 checks for the top eight schools.

Media City Center will announce the winners and present cash prizes the week of May 24, 2004. Ten schools, determined by the average number of points per student, in three categories will receive cash prizes between $500 and $2,500. In the elementary school category, cash prizes will be awarded to the top five schools as follows: first place $2,500, second place $2,000, third place $1,500, fourth place $1,000 and fifth place $500. In the middle school category, prizes will be awarded as follows: first place $2,500, second place $1,500 and third place $500. In the high school category, $2,500 and $1,500 will be awarded to first and second place respectively.

The overall winner of Cash Back for Schools will receive a $1,000 bonus. Additionally, five randomly selected elementary schools will receive $100 during Media City Center's Wild Card Drawings. Cash Back for Schools prize money will be donated directly to the schools' PTAs or PTSAs to be used to support programs and supplies not funded in the schools' annual budgets.

Purchases are easy to redeem for points: shoppers simply stop by the Customer Service Desk, located on the 2nd floor of the mall, to get their receipts date stamped and then deposit the receipts in the brightly colored Cash Back for Schools lockers across from the Customer Service Desk. Purchases made between Monday, October 20, 2003 and Saturday, May 14, 2004 at 8pm are eligible. Shoppers who wish to save their receipts should ask the Customer Service representatives for a Points Pass, which once completed, should be deposited in the locker of choice. Media City Center will convert the dollars spent to points toward cash for Burbank schools. For more information, contact the point persons assigned by the individual schools or Media City Center's Management Office at (818) 566-8556.

Media City Center is a Crown Realty & Development, Inc. owned property and is managed and leased by General Growth Properties, Inc. Located at the heart of Downtown Burbank, Media City Center offers three levels of distinctive shops and restaurants to enjoy, as well as the multi-screen AMC Theatre. Visitors can also ride the antique carousel and enjoy a host of other kid-friendly activities that take place at Media City Center. For information about ongoing Media City Center activities, stop by the center's concierge desk on the second level or call (818) 566-8556.