Algonquin Commons to reward good deeds, help community

The Algonquin Commons shopping mall is teaming up with Community Unit District 300 schools to help local families in need and to ensure good deeds are rewarded this holiday season.

Middle and high school students have the chance to win Algonquin Commons gift cards as part of the mall's Good Deeds Dollars contest. Students have until Dec. 8 to nominate a fellow student's exceptional acts. The winning student will receive a $1,000 gift card, while the nominating student will receive a $250 gift card.

To spread the holiday cheer, the shopping mall will also give a $50 gift card to about 300 homeless students in the district. The mall is also sponsoring a coat drive.

“We wanted to give money to people who truly needed it and to those who deserved it for giving back to the community,” said Beth Hicks, assistant vice president and director of marketing for Inland Commercial Property Management. “The point of the program is to reward the good deeds of the students and bring to light in the community who is doing these good deeds.”

Anyone donating a winter coat through Dec. 15 at the mall office will be entered into a draw for a $50 or $100 gift card.

Allison Strupeck, the district's spokeswoman, said the level of support was unprecedented.

“We are blown away by the dollar amount Algonquin Commons is donating to homeless students and student leaders,” Strupeck said. “It is not unusual for businesses to try to support the district with smaller amounts, but this is really a big deal. This will make for a much happier holiday season for our homeless students.”

To enter the Good Deeds Dollars contests, students can submit either a 300-word letter or a video of no more than three minutes describing a classmate's good deed and how it affected the community.

“We are very excited to see what students might do to nominate their peers,” Strupeck said. “This will shine a positive spotlight on selfless acts.”