AURELIUS - The Fingerlakes Mall was bustling with hundreds of shoppers Friday taking part in the annual tradition of “Midnight Madness.”
Last-minute purchases were being made between the mall's extended hours of 7 a.m. and midnight with plenty of food and entertainment available to keep energy levels from dwindling later in the evening.
“Business has been very good for me,” said Patricia Rosekrans, of Lafayette, owner of Personalities, a kiosk with an array of unique ornaments that can be personalized on-site.
“Anything the mall does to bring in a crowd is great and helps us out.”
Perhaps the most exceptional part of the mall's event was the Christmas Charity Raffle in the center court.
Ten local charities had booths where they were displaying raffle items.
People could pick and choose what they wanted to win by purchasing tickets from the agency with the particular item they favored.
Tickets ranged from $1 to $3 with all of the proceeds going directly to the individual charity.
Participants in St. Francis CYO gave up a Friday night and volunteered their time to raise money for their organization, doing double duty as they sold handmade Victorian ornaments for $1 as well as raffled off a nearly three-foot gift certificate tree filled with gift cards from Marshall's, Lewis Restaurant, Peter's Pizza, Hess and more.
“We like the recognition and the kids come down and enjoy the evening,” said Auburn resident Mary Ann Balloni, president of St. Francis CYO.
While many continued to shop, others were content to enjoy the holiday spirit and wait for the raffle to begin.
“I finished up what I needed to do. Now I can sit here, relax, and watch the people, ” said Debbie Kufhta, of Union Springs who has been coming to the mall's Midnight Madness raffle since it started.
She recalled when it was just the stores in the mall that raffled off items before it became a fund-raising event for local causes.
“It's been at least 10 years and I haven't won yet,” she joked. “I come out to support the local charities.”
“Business has been very good for me,” said Patricia Rosekrans, of Lafayette, owner of Personalities, a kiosk with an array of unique ornaments that can be personalized on-site.
“Anything the mall does to bring in a crowd is great and helps us out.”
Perhaps the most exceptional part of the mall's event was the Christmas Charity Raffle in the center court.
Ten local charities had booths where they were displaying raffle items.
People could pick and choose what they wanted to win by purchasing tickets from the agency with the particular item they favored.
Tickets ranged from $1 to $3 with all of the proceeds going directly to the individual charity.
Participants in St. Francis CYO gave up a Friday night and volunteered their time to raise money for their organization, doing double duty as they sold handmade Victorian ornaments for $1 as well as raffled off a nearly three-foot gift certificate tree filled with gift cards from Marshall's, Lewis Restaurant, Peter's Pizza, Hess and more.
“We like the recognition and the kids come down and enjoy the evening,” said Auburn resident Mary Ann Balloni, president of St. Francis CYO.
While many continued to shop, others were content to enjoy the holiday spirit and wait for the raffle to begin.
“I finished up what I needed to do. Now I can sit here, relax, and watch the people, ” said Debbie Kufhta, of Union Springs who has been coming to the mall's Midnight Madness raffle since it started.
She recalled when it was just the stores in the mall that raffled off items before it became a fund-raising event for local causes.
“It's been at least 10 years and I haven't won yet,” she joked. “I come out to support the local charities.”
The Citizens' Say
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