CENTRAL VALLEY – Woodbury Common Premium Outlets partnered with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley to host 17-year-old Phillip Bergen for a day of shopping and dining at one of the country’s premier shopping destinations. Bergen, a resident of Sullivan County who suffers from lupus, spent Tuesday celebrating his wish of a shopping spree at Woodbury Common.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s skin, joints and organs. An estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S. have lupus, and more than 16,000 new cases are reported each year.
“I choose to spend my wish shopping at Woodbury Common because of the selection of designer brands they have at the Outlets,” he said. “I’m excited to have a good day with my friends and family and to enjoy the experience.”
Bergen was joined by his mother, Kimberly; cousin Sierra Baez,13; and friends Morgan O’Connor, 17, and Jeremy Niven-Gales, 19.
“I’m excited to watch my son enjoy his day,” Kimberly Bergen added.
In addition to the everyday savings of 25 to 65 percent, retailers provided Phillip with gift cards, free merchandise and other amazing deals to make his visit to Woodbury Common even more memorable. Throughout the day, Phillip and his guests had access to the Outlets’ VIP room, complete with snacks and refreshments.
“The work that the Make-A-Wish Foundation does is incredible, and it has been our pleasure to partner with the Hudson Valley chapter to coordinate an unforgettable day for Phillip and his family,” said David Mistretta, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets General Manager. “We have hosted Make-A-Wish recipients in years past and our management team, as well as our retailers, are honored to help grant the wishes of children in our community.”
Through Make-A-Wish, Phillip received a stipend to spend at Woodbury Common. Additionally, he received: an in-store candy spree at Dylan’s Candy Bar as well as a signed book from Dylan and a 20 percent discount off purchases; two bags, a backpack and a duffel bag filled with the most popular Calvin Klein items, as well as a $300 gift card and 30 percent off discount; a $500 gift card for Gap; a pair of shoes or sunglasses up to $500 in-store at Bottega Veneta; use of the Personal Friends Discount at Prada; and much more.
“We’ve organized shopping sprees for a few children through Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, but have never seen an outpouring of generosity to the level that we’ve seen today,” said Mary Sherman, who worked with Make-A-Wish and Woodbury Common to grant Phillip’s wish.
Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley has granted the wishes of more than 2,700 children since receiving its charter in 1986. Recipients have been children with critical conditions in the counties of Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.
About Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley
Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have received a wish are able to build the physical and emotional strength needed to fight critical illnesses. Since it received its charter in 1986, the Hudson Valley Chapter has granted wishes to over 2,700 children in the community it serves.
The Chapter’s territory spans eight counties of the Hudson Valley, including Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. The Chapter is a Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Accredited Charity, meeting the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Additionally, a recent independent audit of the chapter reported that 78% of all funds raised go to program services. For more information about the Hudson Valley Chapter visit www.hudson.wish.org.
About Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
Conveniently accessed from New York City via the New York State Thruway at Exit 16, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets features 250 stores including Tory Burch, Celine, Nike, Bottega Veneta, Polo Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Burberry, Coach, The North Face, and more, all at a savings of 25 percent to 65 percent every day. Market Hall offers a variety of dining opportunities including Chipotle, Pret A Manger, Pinkberry and more. To learn more, visit www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/woodbury-common.
About Simon
Simon is a global leader in retail real estate ownership, management and development and a S&P100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE:SPG). Our industry-leading retail properties and investments across North America, Europe and Asia provide shopping experiences for millions of consumers every day and generate billions in annual retail sales. For more information, visit simon.com.
About Simon Premium Outlets®
The global Simon Premium Outlets portfolio offers exceptional brands at extraordinary savings through a diverse mix of luxury, designer and popular retailers representing the best in fashion, family and home. Our 85 Simon Premium Outlets in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico and South Korea are some of the most iconic and productive shopping destinations for residents and travelers including Woodbury Common (New York City), Orlando, Desert Hills (Palm Springs), Las Vegas and Wrentham Village Premium Outlets (Boston). For more information, visit premiumoutlets.com or follow Premium Outlets on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
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