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Former Foster Youth in Escondido Receive a Holiday Surprise
Cox Communications and ABC Family Partner to Give Holiday Shopping Spree
& Visit with Santa to Residents of YMCA Mary’s House
(SAN DIEGO) December 23, 2008 – Six young women from Mary’s House in Escondido, a transitional home for former foster youth, received a holiday to remember at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego on Saturday, December 13, 2008. The residents of Mary’s House Transitional Living Program (TLP) in Escondido were selected by Cox Communications to be the beneficiaries of ABC Family’s “VIP See Santa and Shop Spree,” offered as part of network’s “25 Days of Christmas” campaign. The special holiday VIP included a shopping spree at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego including a $150 AMEX gift card for each of the young women, a $25 lunch gift card, and of course, a visit with Santa. Mary’s House TLP was identified because of the Cox Kids Foundation’s commitment to supporting transitional housing for former foster youth in San Diego County. The Cox Kids Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications that supports local children and families in need in the areas of health, education and social services. For many of the residents of Mary’s House TLP, the holidays have been filled with turmoil and uncertainty: Some have never spent Christmas morning unwrapping gifts from Santa, and others have been separated from their mothers, fathers, and other loved ones during every Christmas they can remember. “Having the opportunity to partner with ABC Family on this valuable holiday promotion not only benefits Cox as a business, but it helps us continue our commitment of being a good community partner,” said Ceanne Guerra, Media and Public Relations Manager for Cox Communications. “By spreading some holiday cheer for these six young women, we hope raise awareness about the critical support that YMCA Mary’s House provides to former foster youth in the San Diego community.” "We were delighted to work with Cox Communications on the “25 Days of Christmas” campaign, and to be associated with this opportunity to positively affect the lives of these courageous young women is the highlight of this initiative," said David Preschlack, Executive Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Disney and ESPN Media Networks Mary’s House Transitional Living Program (TLP), which is part of YMCA Youth & Family Services, offers a unique experience for young women, ages 18-24. Program participants receive safe shelter and supportive services that help through transition into self-sufficiency. Services offered include individual case management and counseling, independent living skills classes, employment readiness training and job placement, and assistance obtaining an education. Mary’s House TLP serves approximately 12 youth annually. In its eleventh year, ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” is one of cable’s biggest programming events. “25 Days of Christmas” features special events such as the annual VIP See Santa and Shop Spree and over 200 hours of holiday-themed entertainment for the whole family from December 1- 25. About Cox Communications: About ABC Family Part of the Disney-ABC Television Group, ABC Family, distributed in over 95 million homes, features original movies, series and specials reflecting today’s families and entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories about today’s relationships, all told with diversity, dysfunction, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family’s programming is a mix of quality acquired series and theatricals as well as original movies and scripted dramas. ABC Family is also the destination for Holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas” branded programming events. ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.
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