Simon Youth Foundation rolls into 2012 on sound financial footing after the employees of Simon Property Group made recording-breaking contributions in late 2011, the result of the company’s annual Employee Contribution Campaign to benefit SYF.
More than $385,000 were contributed by Simon Property Group employees nationwide during the campaign in October, 2011. The success was thanks to the hard work of dozens of volunteer leaders who rallied contributions, especially David Contis, the campaign’s Executive Chair and the President of Simon Malls®, and Tim Earnest, the campaign’s Vice Chair and the Executive Vice President of Simon Management Group.
Roberta Murray, seated, won an iPad2
after donating more than $50 to SYF
Verizon Wireless was kind enough to donate an iPad2 to the campaign, which SYF awarded to one lucky campaign donor. Much to the chagrin of her coworkers (see photo at left) Roberta Murray, a Simon Property Group local leasing representative in Florida, took the iPad2 home after her name was drawn from the names of all the nationwide campaign donors who committed $50 or more to SYF.
While we can’t promise you an iPad, we still welcome your donation in the New Year to support our two initiatives: Simon Youth Academies and Simon Youth Scholarships.
Alex isn’t a quitter. As a child, he struggled with severe anxiety and depression to the point of getting sick at the sheer thought of having to go to school. Alex knew he had to make a change for himself and find ways to cope with his anxiety.
He began to make friends, focus on his schoolwork, and got a job working on cars when he turned 16. Alex found his passion in cars and began an apprenticeship, working early morning shifts before class even started. Because of this, Alex knew he needed an alternative classroom environment that allowed him to pursue his dream of becoming an automotive technician while earning his high school diploma. Alex attended Simon Youth Academy and successfully juggled his passion for his job and his education. Alex is now a full-time automotive technician working for a large Indianapolis-based dealership.