Eastridge was excited to host its second annual charity shopping night, Festival of Giving on Sunday, November 18th. More than 500 guests joined us for the event which raised more than $10,000 for local schools and non-profit groups.

The night’s special guests included San Jose native JJ Heller, traveling with her husband from Nashville to bring us her newest tunes from her newest album, The Pretty & The Plain.

Photo above: JJ sharing her thoughts on being a singer / song-writer / inspiration for her audience. The Mall Staff Alice Snyder, Melanie Black, and Wayne Proia enjoyed the live tunes.

A special silent auction was held to benefit Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley. Half a dozen gift baskets including a diamond necklace and earrings set donated by Gordon’s Jewelers, DKNY Be Delicous and Tommy Fragrance baskets donated by Macy’s Fragrance, Craftsmen toolbox donated by Habitat for Humanity, as well as a cooks basket with the newest Rachael Ray Just in Time: All-New 30-Minute Meals cookbook, Santa Photo Package with holiday storybooks basket, 4-pack AMC movie ticket with snacks and popcorn tub, and Rudolph DVDs with animated Rudolph plush put together by the Eastridge team. We are pleased to raised over $600 through this auction to help bring families home here in the Silicon Valley.

Eastridge continues to help raise awareness and funds for Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley through a Giving Tree near Entrance C, between Barnes & Noble and Bed Bath & Beyond. Purchase a Giving Tree Donation Ticket for $5, $25, $50, or $100 today at Customer Service Center. Re-useable shopping bag is also sold at Customer Service for $2 each to benefit the organization and reduce the use of plastic bags.

Last but not least, the first 250 guests who joined the event received a special gift including the current issue of San Jose Magazine, Thanksgiving side-dish receipes from Domino Magazine, Eastridge mugs, coupons from Eastridge shops along with exclusive discounts to over 50 shops at Eastridge just 6pm to 9pm on that evening.

Eastridge congratulates the following organizations for joining us for this Festival of Giving fund-raising event:

A Single Light | Alpha Phi Omega | Carolyn Clark Elementary School | Catholic Charities | Cedar Grove Elementary School | Chaboya Middle School Band | East Side Union High School District Child Development Program | James Lick High School | Katherine R. Smith Elementary School | Kidango | PARTI Program | Santa Clara Family Health Plan | Silver Creek High School PTA | The Filipino Youth Collision | Western Career College