No, you can’t adopt a real panda.
But this September, you can adopt one of 500 plush pandas on display at Aberdeen Centre with all proceeds going to the Richmond Christmas Fund.
The pandas, originally part of Aberdeen Centre’s Pandaland exhibit on display this summer, will be sold for $25 each on Sept. 8 and 9.
“The exhibit was hugely popular,” said Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives, the organization that runs the Christmas Fund in a press release.
“We’re hoping that people who came and saw it – or saw photos on social media – will return to the mall and take a panda home. They’re so cute, it’s kind of hard to resist.”
The Richmond Christmas Fund aims to brighten the holidays for low-income residents. This year, the program expects to serve more than 2,000 people by offering them grocery vouchers, toys, books and gift cards.
“The money raised from this initiative will help our community’s most vulnerable families,” said Gavsie.
“We’re truly grateful for Aberdeen’s support, and for making this wonderful fundraising opportunity possible.”
The plush pandas will be sold on Saturday, Sept. 8 and Sunday, Sept. 9 on the first floor of Aberdeen Centre between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Only cash payments will be accepted.
