Mall of America® welcomes more than 3,000 military members and their families to celebrate Holiday for Heroes

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Dec 14, 2014, 12:30 ET

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Dec. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning, more than thirty two hundred military members, veterans and their families attended the Holiday for Heroes event at Mall of America^®.

Attendees enjoyed unlimited rides at Nickelodeon Universe, free breakfast from Hard Rock Cafe, a military resource fair, visits with Santa, an ugly sweater photo booth and prizes valued at more than $200.

First Sgt. Robert Renning proposed to his girlfriend on stage at the Mall of America Holiday for Heroes event in front of 3,200 military men and women. She said yes. Renning first made national headlines in July 2014 after heroically pulling a stranger from a burning car.

One special guest did not leave empty handed. First Sergeant Robert Renning proposed to his girlfriend on stage, during a short program for guests. She said yes. Renning first made national headlines in July 2014 after heroically pulling a stranger from a burning car.

This is the first year Mall of America has hosted Holiday for Heroes. The event is a community outreach element of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program. As a certified Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company, Mall of America provides resources and services to help employees who are service members and veterans, as well as their families before, during and after deployment.

The State of Minnesota officially proclaimed Mall of America a "Yellow Ribbon" company in January 2014. To achieve this proclamation, Mall of America – in addition to its military discounts at select MOA retailers – provides ongoing support through its human resources, community and employee outreach departments as well as training and development programs. Some examples of that support for employees and their families include, but aren't limited to:

34 percent discount at select MOA retailers on proclamation day (celebrating the 34^th MN Infantry Division)
Free "dining out" events at MOA restaurants
Vikings tailgate parties and family day at MOA
Free rides at Nickelodeon Universe^® and free tickets to Theatres at Mall of America^®
"Welcome home" events for returning service people at MOA
Employer paid benefits for 30 days prior to deployment
Providing work readiness programs for current employees

About Mall of America®

Mall of America is the nation's largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.87 million square feet, the Mall is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe, the nation's largest indoor family theme park; EMS Entertainment Exhibit Center; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Hard Rock Cafe; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America, a 14-screen movie theater with digital projection including 4K, digital sound and 3D capabilities; Radisson Blu Mall of America, a 500-room hotel connected by skyway to Mall of America The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Mall is currently undergoing an expansion project on all three levels on the north side. The expansion will include a 342-room JW Marriott hotel, office tower, high-end retailers, new dining options, a tourist welcome center and large event space. Follow Mall of America on Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE Mall of America