A banner year for Shop to Make a Difference

"Shop to Make a Difference," the annual Hutchinson Center benefit at University Village shopping center, raised more than $44,000—a 38 percent increase from last year.

Proceeds came from sale of "Cure Cards," which provided big discounts to shoppers who made a $25 donation to the Center. Some retailers, including Crate & Barrel and glassybaby, also donated a percentage of sales from the weekend event, May 15-17.

In its six-year history, “Shop to Make a Difference” has generated more than $158,000 for the Center. This year, funds raised will benefit women's cancer research. During the event, women could visit the SCCA's mobile mammography van, which was parked at the shopping center for tours and breast-cancer screenings.