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Mall Collects Money For Wildfire Victims

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

CITRUS PARK - Shoppers at Westfield Citrus Park are being asked to join a nationwide fire-relief effort.

The mall is collecting money for victims of the California wildfires. Donations will go to the American Red Cross of San Diego/Imperial counties.

The 14-day drive began Oct. 27 and will last until Nov. 10.

"It all happened very quickly," said Taylor Clifton, marketing director for the mall. "We started on this as soon as we saw the disaster going on."

The Westfield Group owns 58 shopping malls nationally, all involved in the drive, including three in the Bay area - Brandon, Citrus Park and Countryside in Clearwater.

With the Westfield Group's corporate offices in Los Angeles, the disaster has hit it close to home.

"We have employees affected by this, so it was something we wanted to take charge with," Clifton said. "This is an opportunity for our shoppers around the country to give back."

The Westfield Group donated $100,000 last week as a starter.

Clifton said by giving directly to the Red Cross, shoppers can be sure donations go directly to wildfire victims.

"It's really fantastic because you know typically when you make a donation it goes to the general cause," Clifton said, "but with this, the money will affect the people who need help."

A collection point has been established at the shopping concierge center, near BJ's Restaurant.

Cash, checks and purchased Westfield gift cards - which the Red Cross of San Diego will distribute to victims - will be accepted. Shoppers should indicate "2007 San Diego wildfires" in the memo portion of checks to ensure routing to the fire-relief fund.

Last week, flames burned hundreds of thousands of acres from north of Los Angeles down through San Diego and into Mexico, destroying thousands of homes and prompting the biggest evacuation in state history.

For information, call (813) 926-4644 or visit www.west field.com.

To contact the American Red Cross of San Diego, call (858) 309-1200.

Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or at shammill@tampatrib.com.

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