Thursday, October 1, 2026
Green Acres Mall has put community at the forefront this summer, hosting and sponsoring several local events while gearing up for its annual Back-to-School Bash this weekend.
Through donations, interactive activities and backpack giveaways, the Valley Stream mall has continued a tradition of supporting families and creating community connections.
Earlier this month, Green Acres partnered with several community organizations to help close out summer on a celebratory note. On Aug. 2, the shopping center supported the Mill Brook Civic Association’s annual Block Party, contributing a $2,000 sponsorship and joining residents for giveaways and interactive games.
On Aug. 4, the mall brought a carnival-themed celebration to Camp Barrett, the Village of Valley Stream’s summer recreation program, hosting Green Acres Day. Campers enjoyed carnival games, music and school supply giveaways, with local leaders including Mayor Ed Fare and Trustee Sharon Daly in attendance.
“Events like Green Acres Day at Camp Barrett are what make Valley Stream such a special place,” Fare wrote in a statement. “When local businesses step up to give back, our whole community benefits. We’re grateful to Green Acres for ensuring our children are prepared for school — and for putting big smiles on their faces too.”
According to Green Acres’ community relations manager, Jill Bromberg, Camp Barrett provided the perfect setting for family fun before the school year begins. Younger campers enjoyed carnival activities like basketball hoops and ring toss games under red-and-white-striped tents, while counselors helped keep the day running smoothly. Some 400 children received backpacks filled with supplies, along with prizes and toys. The day was filled with energy and laughter, Bromberg said, noting that many children shared memories of visiting the mall with their families over the years.
Green Acres continued its outreach on Aug. 5, joining National Night Out in Franklin Square’s Rath Park. The annual event highlights neighborhood safety and community. Families who attended received Green Acres-branded beach balls.
Those events provided a strong lead-in to the mall’s signature August celebration, the Back-to-School Bash. The event will take place Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 2 p.m., in the mall’s center court.
“Macerich, our corporation, has been doing give-back to communities for many years, and here at Green Acres they’ve been doing these back-to-school efforts, giving out backpacks maybe eight years or so,” Bromberg said. “And the last couple of years, we’ve expanded it to two days to be inclusive and make it fun.
Families can look forward to a variety of activities, including face painting, balloon art, appearances by costumed characters and backpack giveaways.
On Saturday, the event will also feature a DJ dance party, with games and glitter tattoos. Area Girl Scouts will help hand out backpacks, and Green Acres will present a $3,500 donation to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation in support of its back-to-school initiatives.
On Sunday, Gabriel Boxer and Kosher Response will host the event for pre-registered families, highlighted by a pirate-themed magic show.
Over the course of the weekend, Green Acres expects to give out more than 1,400 backpacks, in partnership with local elected officials and community organizations. In addition to Valley Stream, recipients of backpacks this summer in the lead-up to the Bash have included families in Elmont, Inwood, Rosedale, Queens Village and Rockville Centre.
“It’s a weekend filled with live entertainment, interactive fun and the joy of seeing kids head into the school year with confidence,” Bromberg said. “It’s our way of making sure students feel prepared, supported and celebrated.”
The mall is offering a special incentive during event hours. Guests who spend $200 at select retailers between noon and 2 p.m. can choose between a branded Stanley water bottle or a lunch cooler. Half of the gifts will include surprise gift cards tucked inside. Bromberg described the initiative as a way to thank shoppers while extending the celebratory atmosphere into the shopping experience.
According to Bromberg, the mall has been hosting backpack giveaways for close to a decade, expanding them in recent years to meet growing demand and to add more inclusive programming. Partnering with groups such as Kosher Response has helped Green Acres reach a wider audience while ensuring that families feel prepared for the start of the school year.
More details, including registration information for the Sunday distribution, can be found at shopgreenacres.com/event.
