Lock in Your Love for Sick Kids at Vaughan Mills

*Guest Post by Natalie Taylor*

Recently, I was in the hospital for a tick bite. (I’m lucky it wasn’t anything worse, like Lyme Disease.) When I got to the front desk, I had to create a record because I haven’t been to the hospital since I was 7! Wow. How fortunate am I? It took me back to the time when my family got into a car accident via a drunk driver–also when I was 7–and though I was lucky to come out unscathed in the crash, my brother ended up getting a black eye. He was immediately sent to Sick Kids Hospital where they treated his eye and he got to play copious amounts of video games and fed all sorts of yummy things. I was jealous I didn’t get the black eye because of what a wonderful experience he was having at the hospital! That said, Sick Kids remains one of the top hospitals in the world not only for kids but also for research. So when Sick Kids announced they were creating a Love Lock Wall at Vaughan Mills, I jumped at the chance to spread the word.

Inspired by the couples who would bring a lock and throw away a key off the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris to commemorate their endless love, this wall is a creative spin on giving back and a way to lock in your love for Sick Kids. Here’s how it works:

1. In Sport Court Entry 4A (where the Nike store is), you can purchase a padlock for $15 or 2 for $25.

2. Choose a keypsake to give to someone special. There are four messages to attach to a necklace along with your key to choose from: Hope, Dream, Hero, and Best Friend.

3. Dedicate a message on your lock. There are so many inspiring messages on the wall – some dedicated to family members or loved ones; others that are hopeful for humankind.

4. 100% of your donation goes towards Sick Kids Hospital. The proceeds from Santa photos in Santa’s village also goes towards Sick Kids.

5. Make sure you donate before Dec 24 and enter Vaughan Mills’ contest to win a $200 gift certificate by Dec 20!

6. Share and post on your social channels with the hashtag #VMLoveLockWall

What easier way to support a great cause while doing your holiday shopping? (Note: Vaughan Mills has some fantastic outlet stores including Nike and JCrew.) Joyfully, Sick Kids and Vaughan Mills have reached their fundraising goal of $150,000 but there’s still more to give!

A free shuttle to the mall is available, leaving from Front and University avenues for the holiday season. For more information please visit the Vaughan Mills website.