Gwinnett Place Mall encouraging random acts of kindness

The Gwinnett Place Mall management staff is working to spread Christmas cheer in hopes of encouraging shoppers to spread random acts of kindness throughout the season.

The mall is working to show gratitude to their customers during December, their customer appreciation month. Shoppers from now until Dec. 25 might be pleasantly surprised by being given a gift card to a mall retailer, tickets to a sporting or theatre event and coupons for free Santa photos.

A variety of other holiday activities will take place throughout December, including collecting toys for children, Santa photos, story time with Santa on Wednesdays, and Red Cross Blood Drives. The Gwinnett Place Mall is located at 2100 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth. For more information, visit shopgwinnettmall.com.

Walton EMC offers $4,000 college scholarships to subscribers

High school seniors whose homes are served by Walton EMC have the opportunity to win a $4,000 Walton Electric Trust Scholarship.

The selection committee is looking for applicants who demonstrate dedication, a strong work ethic, participate in extracurricular activities and show perseverance in the face of hardship. Students planning to attend a vocational-technical school will receive additional consideration. Up to 32 scholarships will be awarded to students who are ages 21 or younger and must be used at an accredited college, university or vocational-technical school.

Walton Electric Membership Corporation provides electric service to 124,000 accounts in 10 counties between Atlanta and Athens.

Applications must be submitted by Jan. 29 For more information and to apply, visit waltonemc.com.

Simon malls host Christmas events throughout the season

Local Simon Centers, including Mall of Georgia and Sugarloaf Mills, are offering an array of family-friendly activities and attractions this holiday season.

Mall of Georgia will host photos with Santa on Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Mountain Court, and on Dec. 13, pet owners are invited to bring their furry friends to pose with Santa from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Families and friends can take photos in the spirit of Christmas at the Simon Spread Love Photo Booth, which will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 19.

The American Red Cross will hold blood drives from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13 in the Upper Level near Dick’s Sporting Goods. The Mall of Georgia is located at 3333 Buford Drive in Buford. For more details about events at the Mall of Georgia, visit mallofgeorgia.com.

Sugarloaf Mills will host photos with Santa every day until Christmas Eve in the AMC Theatres Court. Pet Photos with Santa will also be held on Dec. 13 from 6 to 7 p.m. At both Pet photo events, guests are asked not to bring exotic pets or reptiles.

The Simon Kidgits club will host its Winterfest holiday event in the Food Court from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 19. Admission to this event is $5 and includes an entire year of free Kidgits activities. For more information about events at Sugarloaf Mills, visit simon.com/sugarloaf-mills.